More than 20 people, including pupils and the proprietor of Kings David Junior School, Ndejje, have been confirmed dead as a school bus carrying pupils from an educational tour crashed in eastern Uganda, police said.
The crash occurred on Thursday (July 16, 2026) evening in Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county in Kapchorwa District after an Isuzu bus, registration number UA 108BQ, belonging to King David Junior School in Ndejje, Kampala, overturned while returning from a visit to the popular Sipi Falls tourist attraction.
According to preliminary police investigations, the driver, whose identity had not yet been established, reportedly lost control of the bus before it veered off the road, struck a large roadside rock and overturned.
Police confirmed that the deceased included 20 pupils and one adult male, bringing the death toll to 21.
The bodies were taken to Kapchorwa Mortuary for identification and postmortem examinations.
The injured included three adult men and several children, who were taken to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
Authorities said the identities of many of the survivors were still being established.
Michael Kananura, spokesperson for Uganda’s Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said investigations into the cause of the crash were continuing.
“We wish to confirm that, following the fatal road traffic crash at Chekwatit Village, a total of 21 people, comprising 20 pupils and one adult, have so far been confirmed dead. Police investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” Kananura said.
The Uganda Police Force extended its condolences to the families of the victims, the management of King David Junior School and all those affected by the tragedy, while wishing those injured a full recovery.
