At least 21 people, including 20 schoolchildren, have died after a school bus veered off the road and overturned in Uganda while returning from an excursion, police have confirmed.
The accident occurred as pupils of King David Junior School in Kampala were returning from a school trip to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa District.
According to Uganda Police, preliminary investigations showed that the driver lost control of the bus before it veered off the road, struck a large roadside stone and overturned.
In a statement posted on X, the police said: “The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned.”
Death toll rises to 21
Police confirmed that 20 pupils and one adult male lost their lives in the crash.
The statement added that three adult males and several children sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Authorities also released an image showing the badly mangled bus lying on its side as emergency responders carried out rescue operations.
Investigation underway
Police said investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing while injured victims continue to receive medical care.
The authorities have not yet released the identities of those who died.
Uganda has continued to grapple with a high number of fatal road accidents, particularly involving buses and heavy-duty trucks on poorly maintained highways.
In October, at least 46 people were killed when two buses collided on a major highway in the country.
According to a 2024 road safety report, Uganda recorded 4,434 fatal road crashes, resulting in 5,144 deaths, highlighting the country’s persistent road safety challenges.
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