Uganda Police Confirm 24 Deaths

A devastating bus crash involving a school excursion in eastern Uganda has claimed the lives of at least 24 schoolchildren. The incident occurred along the Kaserem section of the Kapchorwa-Mbale Road in Uganda.

### Three More Die in Hospital The Uganda Police Force confirmed that three more pupils died while receiving treatment, bringing the death toll to 24. In a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, SP Michael Kananura, said 18 of the victims had been positively identified, while three unidentified bodies were at Kapchorwa Hospital and another three at Mbale Hospital.

### Surviving Pupils Return to Kampala According to Kananura, all surviving pupils who did not require hospitalisation had safely returned to Kampala aboard a Gateway Bus. The driver of the bus involved in the crash had yet to be formally identified but was believed to have sustained critical injuries and was among those receiving treatment in Mbale.

### School Excursions Temporarily Suspended The Minister of Education and Sports, in convening an emergency meeting with key stakeholders, announced the temporary suspension of all school educational trips across the country. The suspension is aimed at allowing a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding recent crashes involving schoolchildren, strengthening safety guidelines for school excursions, and conducting nationwide road safety sensitisation for schools, transport providers, teachers, and other stakeholders.

### Three More Die in Hospital (continued) Kananura stated that all school groups currently on educational trips had been directed to report immediately to the nearest police station, where officers would provide escorts where necessary to ensure their safe return. The Uganda Police Force extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the pupils, staff of King David Junior School, and the entire school community during this difficult time.

### Investigation Continues Further updates, including the findings of the ongoing investigations and the revised safety guidelines for school transportation and educational trips, will be communicated in due course.

### ## Key Facts

  • 24 schoolchildren died in a road crash involving a school excursion in eastern Uganda.
  • The incident occurred along the Kaserem section of the Kapchorwa-Mbale Road in Uganda.
  • Three more pupils died while receiving treatment, bringing the death toll to 24.
  • 18 of the victims had been positively identified, while three unidentified bodies were at Kapchorwa Hospital and another three at Mbale Hospital.
  • The Minister of Education and Sports has temporarily suspended all school educational trips across the country.

### Context The tragic incident highlights the risks and challenges associated with school excursions, particularly in rural areas with inadequate road infrastructure. The move to temporarily suspend school excursions serves as a precautionary measure to prevent similar incidents in the future.

### Blockquote

The Uganda Police Force, working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports and other stakeholders, extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the pupils, staff of King David Junior School, and the entire school community during this difficult time.

  • SP Michael Kananura, Public Relations Officer of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety