Kampala, Uganda: The Government has announced sweeping new school transport regulations following the fatal bus accident in Kapchorwa District that claimed the lives of pupils and staff from King David Junior School, Ndejje, saying the reforms are intended to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The measures were unveiled in a Joint Government Statement issued on Friday by ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba, Acting Education and Sports Minister Dr. John C. Muyingo, State Minister for Transport Julius Maganda, and State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Youth and Children Affairs) Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa, as the country continues to mourn the victims of the Kapchorwa tragedy, which also left several pupils nursing injuries.
“We come before you with heavy hearts following the school bus accident in Kapchorwa that has taken the lives of our children of King David Junior School, Ndejje, and left several others fighting for recovery,” the statement said.
As an immediate measure, the Ministry of Education and Sports has suspended all school study trips and educational tours involving road travel, both within Uganda and abroad, until further notice.
Government also directed schools currently on educational trips to report to the nearest Uganda Police station to facilitate the safe return of learners.
New School Transport Rules
The Ministry also announced several reforms that will govern the transportation of learners across the country. Under the new measures:
- Every driver transporting groups of learners must be vetted and cleared by the Ministry of Works and Transport, with Public Service Vehicle drivers required to carry official government identification.
- Every school vehicle must undergo a mechanical inspection and receive a roadworthiness certificate before undertaking any trip.
- No school trip will be allowed without prior written authorisation from the respective District Education Officer (DEO).
- School transport vehicles will be required to be painted yellow to make them easily identifiable on the road.
- A newly established Inter-Ministerial Committee will develop additional licensing regulations for vehicles transporting children and strengthen enforcement against operators who fail to comply.
Government said injured pupils are receiving medical care while counsellors have been deployed to support survivors, teachers and bereaved families. It added that assistance is being provided to affected families with burial arrangements and other urgent needs as authorities continue coordinating the national response.
Authorities have also called upon the media, religious leaders, community leaders and the public to support grieving families while promoting a stronger culture of road safety to safeguard school children.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
