After the successful two-day trip, the young ones, unquestionably exhausted but full of new images in their hearts, some possibly half asleep, were returning home with tales to tell.
Two days before the tragic Sunday morning, close to 100 excited, joyful learners of Daystar Junior School, eager to learn new things from the districts of Kasese and Kabarole, boarded the HMK Transporters coach registration number UAP 829U, looking forward to new adventures in life.
The innocent souls could then never imagine that they would return home minus two of their dear colleagues, 11-year-old Ronah Kakembo and Pamela Nabasumba both of P.5, and close to twenty of their friends with varying bodily injury degrees.
And to those who escaped unscathed, the early morning tragedy that befell them at Kagavu village in Zigoti Town Council just after leaving Mityana, will leave permanent imprints, trauma and scare in their minds. Tour guides and the school head of Daystar who were also on board, sustained injuries.
Effujjo mu Kulonda Kw’abavubuka e Mukono-Aba NRM Bapangisizza Bakifeesi ne Bakuba Aba NUP
After the successful two-day trip, the young ones, unquestionably exhausted but full of new images in their hearts, some possibly half asleep, were returning home with tales to tell. Unfortunately, the unidentified driver of the killer coach was also suspected to have been still nursing a sleep hangover, which could have been the cause of the accident.
According to Traffic police spokesperson, Michael Kananura, it is highly suspected that the driver could have lost control out of the sleepy stupor, and in the process swerving off the road and leading to four somersaults, thus ejecting the two deceased dear ones out to their death.
It should be recalled that a few months back, the government issued directives regarding transporting children out to field trips, including prior acquisition of permission from the Chief Administrative Officers for primary, secondary and higher institutions of learning. Schools are also supposed to get written permissions from parents authorizing school management to go out with their children.
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Those in charge of the learners were also directed to ensure that drivers of vehicles transporting the children keep away from alcohol. If learners are travelling beyond borders, there should be prior express permission from the Ministry, with either a teacher and/or two teachers accompanying the learners.
Pupils under 12 years are strictly not allowed to travel on international tours.
Speaking after the accident, Kananura reminded that return journeys are not allowed.
“Return journeys should be discouraged and overnight rest planned; drivers should hold valid licenses, be professionally qualified and have no traces of alcohol”, Kananura noted. He also advised that the Inspector of Vehicles (IOV) should be used to assist in establishing vehicles’ road worthiness.
At the school, after the break out of the sad news, an uncontrollable spate of wailing ensued, with parents excited about what could have happened to their dear children. Collin Kitenda, brother to Nabasumba who died, said they willingly paid sh250,000 unaware that they were paying for his sister to travel to her death.
The learners began their journey on Friday and were returning home on Sunday morning when the calamity struck. Acting Wamala Region Police spokesperson, Mishael Teriyetu said the victims had been rushed to different health units in Zigoti, Mityana and Kampala for medical attention.