The Minister of Education and Sports, John Chrysostom Muyingo has suspended all school education trips pending comprehensive investigations following the fatal Kapchorwa Bus accident that killed 20 pupils and school director of King David Junior School, Ndejje.
“As an immediate precautionary measure, all school trips and educational excursions are hereby suspended with immediate effect until further notice” he said.
Min Muyingo noted that the temporary suspension will remain in force as the Ministry conducts a comprehensive review of the existing school trip and excursion guidelines and introduces strengthened safety measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of learners.
Muyingo further expressed condolences to families affected by recent school trip accidents and wished the injured learners a quick recovery.
According to sources, the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) is convening an emergency meeting on road safety, with the line minister expected to address the media this afternoon following the meeting.
The Suspension comes hours after the Directorate of traffic PRO Michael Kananura, has confirmed that at least 21 people, comprising 20 pupils and one adult, have so far been confirmed dead in the fatal road traffic crash that occurred yesterday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District.
“The crash involved an Isuzu bus, registration number UA 108BQ, belonging to King David Junior School, Ndejje, Makindye Division, Kampala” he said.
Kananura noted that the driver of the ill-fated bus has not yet been identified, while several survivors, whose identities are yet to be established, were rushed to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for medical treatment.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the school bus had taken pupils on an educational tour to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa District. While returning from the tour, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned” he said.
Kananura noted that the crash claimed the lives of one adult male and 20 pupils, while three adult males and several juveniles sustained injuries.
“The bodies of the deceased were conveyed to Kapchorwa Mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations” he said.
Kananura noted that police investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.
On Thursday night, the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi who’s in eastern Uganda on official duties visited the injured children alongside Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Simon Mulongo.
While addressing media after, he revealed that he found nine children in critical condition at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, 16 children receiving treatment at Kaserem Health Centre, three children at Bulambuli Health Centre IV, and the rest at Kapchorwa Hospital.
“Sadly, 20 children and one adult, who happens to be the founder and director, Mr. Tadeo Ssekade, have gone to be with the Lord” he said.
