20 Children Killed in Tragic Bus Crash in Uganda

School trip ends in disaster as bus overturns, leaving dozens dead and several others injured

At least 20 children and one adult have been killed after a school bus overturned in eastern Uganda, authorities have confirmed.

The victims were pupils from King David Junior School in Kampala who were returning from an educational trip to the popular tourist destination of Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa District when the accident occurred on Friday.

According to Uganda Police, the driver of the bus reportedly lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the road, struck a large stone and overturned.

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

Authorities said the crash claimed the lives of 20 pupils and one adult male. Three adult men and several children also sustained injuries and were taken for medical treatment.

Police shared photographs from the scene showing the bus severely damaged after the crash, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.

The incident has sent shockwaves across Uganda, with many expressing grief over the loss of so many young lives in a single accident.

Road accidents remain a major concern in Uganda, which has one of the poorest road safety records in the region. Poor road conditions, speeding, reckless driving and inadequate vehicle maintenance have often been cited as contributing factors in the country’s high number of traffic fatalities.

Last year, 46 people were killed when two buses collided on a major highway in Uganda, one of the deadliest road accidents in recent years.

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

The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns about road safety standards and the need for stronger measures to prevent accidents involving school transport and public vehicles.

Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the condition of the vehicle and the events leading up to the driver losing control.

As families mourn the loss of their children, tributes and messages of sympathy have continued to pour in from across the country.

The accident marks one of Uganda’s deadliest incidents involving schoolchildren in recent years and has renewed calls for improved road safety regulations and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.