Uganda Bus Crash: 20 Students Killed, School Trips Halted

A terrifying night in eastern Uganda saw a school bus overturned on a dangerous hill, killing 20 students and one adult.

The bus, carrying pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje, was on a field trip when it lost control, bumped into a large stone, and tipped onto its side.

Preliminary reports say a mechanical fault may have triggered the crash, which piled into a stretch of road that has seen several serious accidents.

With the body count at 20 students and an adult, the crash is one of Uganda’s deadliest involving children in recent years.

Education Minister John Chrysostom Muyingo announced a temporary ban on all school field trips until the investigation finishes.

“We need to protect our children’s safety,” Muyingo said. “Let’s work together to care for survivors and prevent another tragedy.”

Traffic police spokesperson Michael Kananura described the event: the driver lost control, the bus hit a rock, and it overturned.

The accident happened around 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT) in Chekwatit village, on Chekwatit Hill.

Local officials, including Minister Balaam Ateenyi Barugahara, confirmed the fatal toll on X. Videos from witnesses show the damaged bus and emergency responders rushing to the scene.

The pupils had returned from a study tour that included Sipi Falls, a popular tourist spot.

Road safety is a growing concern in Uganda, with speeding, poor maintenance and dangerous roads repeatedly causing accidents.

This crash follows a string of serious bus incidents, prompting renewed scrutiny of school transport safety.

Additional reporting by Swaibu Ibrahim.