At least 21 people, including 20 pupils and a teacher,
have lost their lives after a school bus crashed along a dangerous road in
eastern Uganda, leaving about 60 others injured.
The tragic accident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. local
time on Thursday, July 16, as students from King David Junior School were
returning to Kampala after a school excursion to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa
District.
According to Ugandan police, the driver reportedly
lost control of the Isuzu bus, allegedly due to a mechanical fault. The vehicle
struck a large rock along Chekwatit Village road before overturning by the
roadside.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where
several passengers had been thrown from the bus while others were trapped
inside the wreckage. Survivors were rescued and taken to three nearby hospitals
for treatment. Police said many of the injured, including several children and
adult passengers, sustained serious injuries.
Confirming the incident, the Uganda Police Force said
21 fatalities had been recorded, comprising 20 pupils and one adult.
"The Uganda Police Force extends its deepest
condolences to the bereaved families, the management of King David Junior
School, and everyone affected by this tragic incident. We also wish the injured
a speedy and full recovery," the police said in a statement.
Uganda's Minister of Local Government, Balaam Ateenyi
Barugahara, later identified the deceased adult as Tadeo Ssekade, the founder
and director of King David Junior School.
Authorities have launched an investigation to
determine the exact cause of the crash.
Kapchorwa Resident District Commissioner Stanley
Bayole commended local residents for their swift response, saying members of
the community provided transport, bedding, and actively participated in rescue
efforts.
Chekwatit Hill, where the crash occurred, is widely
regarded as one of Uganda's most dangerous accident hotspots due to its history
of fatal road crashes.
The tragedy comes just a week after another fatal
accident in Uganda in which a school bus collided with a train in Mukono
District, killing a teacher and a student.
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