23 feared dead after bus carrying pupils from school tour overturns in Kapchorwa

Kapchorwa, Uganda: At least 23 people are feared dead and several others injured after a school bus carrying pupils of Kings David Junior School, Ndejje, was involved in a fatal road crash in Kapchorwa District on Tuesday evening.

The pupils were reportedly returning from an educational tour to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa when the accident occurred.

According to Traffic Police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura, the crash happened at around 8:00 p.m. at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, involving a school bus, registration number UA 108BQ, branded Liberty Tour and Travel.

“The Uganda Police Force confirms that police in Kapchorwa have this evening registered a fatal road traffic crash involving a school bus, registration number UA 108BQ, transporting pupils of Kings David Junior School, Ndejje.

“The crash occurred at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, at around 2000 hours.

Preliminary reports from the scene indicate that at least 23 people are feared to have died, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to Kapchorwa General Hospital for treatment.

Authorities had not, by press time, officially confirmed the casualty figures as rescue teams continued searching the wreckage and accounting for all passengers.

“Police and other emergency responders are at the scene carrying out rescue operations and establishing the number of casualties and injured persons. At this stage, the exact number of fatalities and injuries has not yet been confirmed.

“More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available,” Kananura said.

The tragedy comes barely a day after another fatal road accident in Bugweri District, where a school bus transporting students on an educational tour collided with a stationary trailer, leaving the driver dead and several students injured.