“We are closing the school for two weeks. Every parent should report to the staffroom for verification before we hand over any child,” Mutenyu announced over the school’s public address system.
King David Junior School has announced a two-week closure following the devastating road crash that claimed the lives of several pupils and left dozens of others injured, as grieving parents demanded answers over the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
According to Uganda Police, the accident which occurred on Thursday evening in Kapchorwa district claimed lives of 20 pupils and the school director, Tadeo Ssekadde.
The decision to temporarily close the school was jointly reached by the school’s management and municipal authorities, according to Municipal Education Officer Pauline Nsangi. It was announced on Friday afternoon by the school’s Director of Studies, Alfred Mutenyu, who said the closure would allow pupils, teachers and families time to mourn and begin the healing process.
Government Suspends School Trips After Kapchorwa Crash Kills 20 Pupils and School Director
“We are closing the school for two weeks. Every parent should report to the staffroom for verification before we hand over any child,” Mutenyu announced over the school’s public address system.
The announcement came amid scenes of grief and uncertainty at the school, where distraught parents gathered in large numbers seeking information about their children. Many questioned how the fatal crash occurred and called on authorities to establish responsibility and provide clear answers.
Throughout the afternoon, every announcement over the public address system was met with complete silence as parents listened intently, hoping to hear updates about their children. The silence was often followed by subdued conversations as families struggled to process the unfolding tragedy.
For many, however, the agonising wait continued. Some parents rushed toward the school gate whenever a vehicle entered the compound, hoping it carried surviving pupils returning from the ill-fated study tour. Others remained glued to their phones, desperately searching for information from hospitals or official lists of those affected.
Mutenyu said pupils who survived the crash were expected back at the school later on Friday, where they would also undergo a verification process before being reunited with their parents or guardians.
Meanwhile, teachers continued registering parents’ contact details while working closely with security agencies and health officials to account for every learner involved in the trip. Several parents appealed for timely and accurate information, saying the uncertainty surrounding their children’s fate had only deepened their anguish.
Police officers and soldiers remained deployed at the school as relatives, journalists and well-wishers continued to gather.
Emotions briefly boiled over when a grieving mother confronted a TikTok content creator who attempted to interview her while filming.
“How can you ask me such a question?” the visibly distressed woman shouted as she tried to grab the young man by the collar before bystanders intervened and calmed the situation.
As Friday afternoon wore on, the school remained engulfed in grief, prayer and anxious waiting, with families clinging to hope as they sought confirmation about the fate of their loved ones. The closure marks the beginning of what school officials say will be a period of mourning and recovery for the entire King David Junior School community.
