Uganda bus crash: At least 21 killed after school trip ends in tragedy

A school trip in eastern Uganda ended in tragedy after a bus carrying pupils overturned on Thursday evening, killing at least 20 children and one adult, while leaving dozens of others injured, according to local officials.The bus was transporting pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje back from a study tour when it crashed at around 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT) in Chekwatit village in the Kawowo area of Kapchorwa.Initial findings indicate that the vehicle developed a mechanical fault before the driver lost control while descending Chekwatit Hill, a section of road that local officials say has been the site of several major accidents, as cited by BBC.Police said, "The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned."Among those killed was Tadeo Ssekade, the founder and director of the school. Confirming the toll from the crash, local minister Balaam Ateenyi Barugahara wrote on X, "Sadly, 20 children and 1 adult, who happens to be the founder and director, Mr Tadeo Ssekade, have gone to be with the Lord."

School staff were among those injured, with dozens of people hurt in the crash. Eyewitness videos circulating after the incident showed the bus severely damaged as residents gathered at the scene to help rescue injured pupils.Local media reported that the pupils had visited Sipi Falls during their study tour before beginning the return journey.The crash is one of the deadliest road accidents involving children in Uganda in recent years. It also comes as concerns over the safety of school transport have resurfaced following several serious bus accidents reported across the country in recent weeks.Uganda records thousands of road fatalities each year, with traffic authorities attributing many of them to speeding, poorly maintained vehicles and dangerous roads.