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The death toll from a school bus crash in eastern Uganda has risen to 24 after three more pupils died while receiving treatment, prompting authorities to suspend all school field trips nationwide.
Uganda Police said the latest fatalities brought the number of victims to 23 children and one adult. Six of the deceased have yet to be identified.
The bus, carrying pupils from King David Junior School in Kampala, was returning from a trip to Sipi Falls on Thursday when it reportedly veered off the road near Kaserem, struck a large rock and overturned.
Police said the driver, who sustained critical injuries, is believed to have lost control of the vehicle. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
The Ministry of Education convened an emergency meeting on Friday and announced the temporary suspension of all school excursions nationwide while authorities investigate the circumstances of recent crashes involving schoolchildren.
According to police, the suspension will allow officials to review safety guidelines and strengthen road safety training for schools and transport operators.
School groups currently on educational trips have also been directed to report to the nearest police station, with officers deployed to escort them safely back to their schools where necessary.
Police said three other vehicles travelling with the same school group completed the journey without incident. Twenty-three injured victims remain hospitalised in Kapchorwa.
Uganda has one of the region’s poorest road safety records, with fatal crashes involving buses and trucks occurring regularly on its highways. Official figures show 5,144 people died in road accidents in 2024, while a bus collision in October last year claimed at least 46 lives.
