At least 20 schoolchildren and the founder of their school have been killed after a bus carrying pupils on an educational trip crashed in eastern Uganda, in one of the country’s deadliest school transport accidents in recent years.

The accident occurred on Thursday evening in the Kapchorwa area as the pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje were returning from a study tour, with dozens of other passengers, including school staff, sustaining injuries.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the bus developed a mechanical fault before the driver lost control while descending Chekwatit Hill, a notorious accident blackspot.

According to the police, “The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned.”

The bus crashed at about 8:00 p.m. local time in Chekwatit village, Kawowo area, leaving emergency responders and residents scrambling to rescue survivors from the wreckage.

Confirming the casualty figure, Uganda’s Minister of Local Government, Balaam Ateenyi Barugahara, said the school’s proprietor was among those who lost their lives.

In his words, “Sadly, 20 children and 1 adult, who happens to be the founder and director, Mr Tadeo Ssekade, have gone to be with the Lord.”

Eyewitness videos circulating on social media showed the severely damaged bus as local residents joined emergency responders in rescuing injured pupils trapped inside the vehicle.

Local media reported that the children had visited the popular Sipi Falls tourist destination as part of their educational excursion before the fatal return journey.

The tragedy has renewed concerns over school transport safety in Uganda, where road crashes claim thousands of lives annually due to speeding, poorly maintained vehicles and hazardous road conditions. (Arise News)

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