20 Schoolchildren, One Adult Killed as Bus Crashes While Returning from School Excursion

• At least 20 schoolchildren and one adult have died after a bus carrying pupils home from a school excursion crashed and overturned in eastern Uganda.

At least 20 schoolchildren and one adult have been killed after a bus carrying pupils from a school excursion veered off the road and overturned in eastern Uganda, police have confirmed.

The tragic accident occurred as the bus, belonging to King David Junior School in Kampala, was returning from a trip to the popular Sipi Falls tourist destination in Kapchorwa District.

According to preliminary findings, the driver lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the road, crashed into a large roadside stone, and overturned.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, the Uganda Police Force said the crash claimed the lives of one adult male and 20 pupils.

“The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned,” the statement read.

Police added that three adult males and several children sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Images released by authorities showed the bus extensively damaged after the crash, while investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Uganda has long struggled with poor road safety, with fatal crashes involving buses and trucks occurring regularly on the country’s highways. Factors such as speeding, reckless driving, poor road conditions, and inadequate vehicle maintenance have been blamed for many of the accidents.

In October last year, at least 46 people were killed when two buses collided on a major highway, highlighting the country’s persistent road safety challenges.

According to official figures, Uganda recorded 4,434 fatal road crashes in 2024, resulting in 5,144 deaths.

Authorities say investigations into Friday’s tragic school bus accident are ongoing.