At least 20 pupils and a school director have died after a bus carrying children home from a study trip overturned in eastern Uganda, in a tragedy that has renewed concerns over the safety of school transport in the country.
The crash, which also left dozens of people injured, happened on Thursday evening in the Kapchorwa area after the bus reportedly developed a mechanical problem before the driver lost control.
Local officials said the bus was transporting pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje when it crashed at about 8:00 pm local time in Chekwatit village, Kawowo area.
Preliminary investigations indicate the bus suffered a mechanical fault before the driver lost control while descending Chekwatit Hill, a section of road that has witnessed several serious accidents in the past.
Police said the vehicle veered off the road before hitting a large rock and overturning.
"The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned," police said.
The accident claimed the lives of at least 20 children and one adult, identified as the founder and director of the school, Tadeo Ssekade.
Confirming the fatalities while at the scene, Minister of Local Government Balaam Ateenyi Barugahara wrote on X:
"Sadly, 20 children and 1 adult, who happens to be the founder and director, Mr Tadeo Ssekade, have gone to be with the Lord,"
Dozens of other passengers, including school staff, sustained injuries and were rushed for treatment as residents joined emergency responders in rescuing those trapped in the wreckage.
Videos shared by eyewitnesses showed the bus extensively damaged while residents worked to pull injured children from the overturned vehicle.
Local media reported that the pupils were returning from a study tour to Sipi Falls, a popular tourist attraction in eastern Uganda, when the crash occurred.
The accident is among the deadliest involving schoolchildren in Uganda in recent years and comes amid growing concern over the safety of school transport following several bus crashes reported across the country in recent weeks.
Uganda continues to record thousands of road deaths every year, with traffic authorities attributing many of the crashes to speeding, poorly maintained vehicles and dangerous roads.