Bugweri, Uganda: An educational field trip turned tragic on Tuesday morning after a school bus carrying students of St. Paul Secondary School in Katakwi District crashed into the rear of a stationary trailer in Bugweri District, killing the driver and leaving 15 passengers injured.
The accident occurred at around 4:45 a.m. on July 14, 2026, in Nawangisa Village along the Mbale-Iganga Highway.
According to police, the Isuzu bus, registration number UA 551ED, owned by Amuria High School, was transporting 73 students to Kasenyi Landing Site in Entebbe for a geography field study when it rammed into the rear of a stationary Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer, registration number UBB 269V.
Police identified the deceased as Kasakya Abdallah, 68, the driver of the school bus, who died instantly at the scene.
Fifteen passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to Iganga General Hospital for treatment. The injured include 13 students, one teacher, and the bus conductor, whose identity had not been established by press time.
The injured students have been identified as Iraat Joseph, Obweikal Emmanuel, Emodit Simon, Aanyu Samuel, Okurut Silver, Oila Samuel, Okot Timothy and Ocen John Mark, all Senior Three students.
Others injured are Opio Samuel Martin, Ingirot John Martin, Oumo Jeremiah, Alibet Isaac and Nyasurura Perez, who are all Senior Four students.
The injured teacher was identified as Oluga George.
According to Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha, traffic officers led by the Regional Traffic Officer responded to the scene to document the crash and commence investigations.
“The deceased’s body has been transported to Iganga Hospital mortuary, while the injured victims have been taken to Iganga General Hospital for medical attention,” Kasadha said.
He added that both the bus and the trailer had been impounded at Busembatya Police Station pending inspection by motor vehicle examiners.
“We urge all road users to exercise caution while traveling to prevent such incidents,” Kasadha appealed.
Preliminary investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.
The latest accident comes just days after another school transport tragedy in Mukono District, where a bus carrying students on an educational trip collided with a train at a railway crossing, raising fresh concerns over the safety of school transport during educational excursions.
Road safety experts continue to urge transport operators to observe speed limits, avoid driver fatigue, and ensure vehicles undergo routine mechanical inspections before undertaking long-distance journeys involving students.
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