The death toll from the fatal road accident involving pupils of King David Junior School in eastern Uganda has climbed to 24 after three more injured pupils died while undergoing treatment.
The Uganda Police Force confirmed the latest figures in a statement posted on X on Friday by the Public Relations Officer of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, SP Michael Kananura.
According to Kananura, 18 of the victims have been identified, while three unidentified bodies are at Kapchorwa Hospital and another three are at Mbale Hospital. He added that 23 injured victims remain hospitalised at Kapchorwa Hospital.
He said all surviving pupils who did not require medical attention had safely returned to Kampala aboard a Gateway Bus.
The police spokesperson also disclosed that the driver of the crashed bus has not yet been formally identified but is believed to be among those critically injured and receiving treatment at Mbale Hospital.
The school excursion had departed Kampala at about 5 a.m. with two buses and two taxis. The other vehicles, which were not involved in the accident, safely returned to Kampala with all passengers.
In response to the tragedy, Uganda’s Minister of Education and Sports ordered the temporary suspension of all school educational trips across the country. The move is aimed at enabling a full investigation into the recent crashes involving schoolchildren, reviewing safety measures for school excursions, and improving road safety awareness among schools, transport operators, teachers and other stakeholders.
Authorities also directed all schools currently on educational trips to immediately report to the nearest police station, where officers would provide escorts to ensure their safe return.
“The Uganda Police Force, working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports and other stakeholders, extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the pupils, staff of King David Junior School, and the entire school community during this difficult time,” Kananura said.
He added that further updates on the investigation and revised safety guidelines for school transportation and educational trips would be communicated in due course.
Police had initially confirmed 21 deaths, but the figure later increased to 24 after three injured pupils succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
