Written by Gloria Ngatha
On Thursday 16 July 2026 in Kapchorwa District in Uganda, a School bus crashed and at least 20 pupils reportedly lost their lives . The pupils from King David Junior schools were travelling back home after an educational visit to Sipi Falls , one of Uganda’s most popular tourist attraction sites
The school trip that was meant to be full of learning and fun but ended in tragedy after the accident happened . This is said to be one of the country’s deadliest road accidents involving children in recent years.The bus was carrying more than 80 people, including pupils, teachers and school staff. While authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of passengers, more than 60 people were injured, many of them were children. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they received emergency treatment. According to Uganda Police, the crash happened when the bus developed a mechanical problem while driving down Chekwatit Hill, a steep road that has seen several serious accidents in the past, where the driver lost control of the vehicle and the bus left the road , struck a large rock and overturned several times .
Among those who died was the school’s founder and director, Mr. Tadeo Ssekade, who had travelled with the children on the educational tour.
Residents living near the accident scene were the first to respond and gave first aid before the police, ambulances and other emergency responders arrived.
The tragedy has left families, classmates and teachers heartbroken. Across Uganda, people have shared messages of sympathy and support for everyone affected by the accident.
Road accidents remain a serious challenge in Uganda. According to traffic authorities, thousands of people lose their lives on the country’s roads each year due to speeding, poorly maintained vehicles, dangerous roads and mechanical failures. Following this crash, many people are calling for stricter safety checks on school buses and better road safety measures to help protect children.
Although this is a very sad story, many children and adults survived the crash and are receiving treatment. Communities across Uganda have come together to support the injured and comfort families who have lost loved ones.
Our hearts are with the children, teachers and families affected by this tragedy. We hope those who were injured recover quickly and that lessons from this accident help make school journeys safer for children everywhere.