Police said investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing and that further updates, including the findings of the investigation and revised safety guidelines for school transportation and educational trips, will be communicated in due course.
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The death toll from the tragic road crash involving pupils of King David Junior School has risen to 24 after three more pupils succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident while undergoing treatment, police have confirmed.
The fatal crash occurred at Kaserem along the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road on return from the educational trip organized by the school.
According to the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, 24 people have now been confirmed dead. Of the deceased, 18 bodies have been positively identified, while three unidentified bodies are at Kapchorwa Hospital and another three are at Mbale Hospital awaiting identification. Among the deceased is the school director, Tadeo Ssekadde.
Police also confirmed that 23 victims remain admitted at Kapchorwa Hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment. All surviving pupils who did not require hospitalization were safely transported back to Kampala aboard a Gateway Bus.
The driver of the ill-fated bus has not yet been formally identified. However, authorities believe he sustained critical injuries in the crash and is among the patients receiving treatment at Mbale Hospital.
The school delegation had departed Kampala at about 5:00 a.m. using two buses and two taxis for the educational trip. The second bus and the two taxis were not involved in the accident and safely returned to Kampala with all their occupants.
In response to the tragedy, the Minister of Education and Sports convened an emergency meeting with key stakeholders and announced the immediate suspension of all school educational trips across the country.
According to the ministry, the suspension is aimed at allowing a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding recent road crashes involving school children, strengthening safety guidelines for educational trips, and conducting nationwide road safety sensitization for schools, transport providers, teachers, and other stakeholders.
The meeting also resolved that all school groups currently on educational trips should immediately report to the nearest police station, where necessary, so that police can provide escorts to ensure the safe return of learners to their respective schools.
The Uganda Police Force, working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports and other stakeholders, extended its condolences to the bereaved families, pupils, staff of King David Junior School, and the wider school community.
Police said investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing and that further updates, including the findings of the investigation and revised safety guidelines for school transportation and educational trips, will be communicated in due course.