Two primary school pupils from Daystar Junior School in Makindye Division, Kampala, lost their lives and 11 others were injured when a bus overturned on the Kampala–Mubende Highway in central Uganda early Sunday. The group was returning from a study tour in Kasese District, approximately 400 kilometers away, when the accident happened around 5:30am near Kagavu Village in Mityana District.
The bus, registered as UAP 829U and operated by HMK Bus Company, lost control and overturned, likely due to the driver falling asleep at the wheel. The crash claimed the lives of two pupils, Rhona Kakembo (11) and Pamela Nabasumba, who died at the scene. Their bodies were taken to Mityana Hospital for post-mortem examination. Eleven others, including four tour guides, sustained injuries and were rushed to Mityana Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala for treatment.
The accident occurred on a sharp bend about 10 kilometers from Mityana Town during an overnight journey back to Kampala. Authorities suspect driver fatigue was a key factor and emphasized the risks of long-distance overnight travel, especially for schoolchildren. Recommendations include planning overnight rests to avoid fatigue-related crashes.
It is unclear whether the school and bus operator followed official safety guidelines for school transport, as a detailed traffic police report was not available at the time of reporting.
Uganda faces ongoing challenges with road safety, with the 2024 annual police crime report documenting 25,107 road crashes and 25,808 casualties, often attributed to reckless driving, poor road conditions, and driver negligence. Road safety advocates continue to urge stricter enforcement of regulations, particularly for transporting schoolchildren over long distances.