At least 20 pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje have died and more than 60 others were injured after their school bus crashed at Chekwatit Hill in Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District.
The pupils were returning from a study tour on Thursday evening when the bus, registration number UA 108BQ, reportedly developed a mechanical fault. According to preliminary findings, the driver lost control of the vehicle before it crashed at around 8:00pm.
The Uganda Police Force confirmed the accident, saying the bus was transporting pupils from King David Junior School when the crash occurred at Chekwatit Village in Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county. Police said investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing but did not immediately confirm the number of fatalities.
Hours later, Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, who was on an official tour of Eastern Uganda, visited the crash scene and confirmed that 20 pupils and one adult had died.
The deceased adult was identified as the school’s founder and director, Tadeo Ssekade.
In a post on X, Balaam said nine critically injured pupils had been admitted to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, while 16 others were receiving treatment at Kaserem Health Centre. Three more were admitted to Bulambuli Health Centre IV, with the remaining injured taken to Kapchorwa Hospital.
Sipi Regional Police spokesperson Fredmark Chesang said preliminary investigations indicate that the crash was likely caused by a mechanical failure.
He added that eyewitnesses told investigators the bus had made several stopovers before the accident, and police are working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police officers, emergency responders and local residents worked together to rescue victims, many of whom were trapped inside the wrecked bus. The injured were rushed to Kapchorwa General Hospital and other nearby health facilities, while those with critical injuries were referred to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.
