At least 19 people have been confirmed dead following a tragic road crash involving a school bus belonging to Kings David Junior School, Ndejje, in Kapchorwa District.
The fatal accident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, according to the Uganda Police Force.
The bus, registration number UA 108BQ, was transporting pupils when it was involved in the crash.
Uganda Police spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, Michael Kananura, confirmed the incident, saying police and emergency teams immediately launched rescue operations.
“The Uganda Police Force confirms that police in Kapchorwa have registered a fatal road traffic crash involving a school bus, registration number UA 108BQ, transporting pupils of Kings David Junior School, Ndejje,” Kananura said.
He added that rescue operations were ongoing and that authorities were working to establish the identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
By Friday morning, 19 people had been confirmed dead, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to health facilities in Mbale, Namisindwa, and Kapchorwa for treatment.
Police have not yet released the identities of the deceased, and investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
The tragedy is the third major school bus accident reported in Uganda within a week.
On July 10, a school bus was struck by a train at a railway crossing in Mukono, killing a teacher and injuring several pupils.
On July 14, students of Amuria High School sustained injuries after their school bus rammed into a stationary truck along the Mbale–Iganga Highway in Bugweri District while returning from a geography study tour.
Authorities have urged motorists to observe traffic regulations and exercise extra caution, especially when transporting schoolchildren.
More details are expected as rescue efforts and investigations continue.
