Tragedy on Mubende–Kampala Road: Two Pupils Killed, 11 Injured in School Bus Crash
Mityana District – August 3, 2025
A somber cloud hangs over Day Star Primary School in Makindye, Kampala, after a fatal road crash claimed the lives of two pupils and left 11 others injured in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The tragic incident occurred at around 5:30 a.m. at Kagavu, along the Mubende–Kampala Road in Zigoti, Mityana District. The bus involved, registration number UAP 829U, belongs to HMK Transporters Ltd. and was transporting pupils, tour guides, and the head teacher back from a school tour in Kasese.
According to preliminary reports, the driver is suspected to have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing the bus to overturn. The impact of the crash resulted in the instant death of two pupils, while 11 others sustained various injuries. Among the injured were four tour guides and the school’s head teacher.
Emergency responders rushed the injured to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The identities of the deceased have not yet been publicly disclosed pending official notification of their families.
This heartbreaking accident has reignited calls for stricter safety measures in school transport planning. Authorities and education stakeholders have emphasized that the safety and well-being of pupils must be the highest priority during school-organized trips.
In response to the incident, safety recommendations have been issued to all schools across the country:
Avoid night or early-morning return journeys following long-distance tours. Overnight rest must be planned to combat driver fatigue.
Inspect and verify the mechanical condition of all hired vehicles before use.
Ensure all drivers are professionally qualified, licensed, and sober—free of alcohol or drugs—before commencing any trip.
In addition, schools are urged to collaborate closely with the Uganda Police Force, particularly the Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV), to assess the roadworthiness of transport vehicles, conduct background checks on drivers, and carry out necessary alcohol tests.
“This tragedy is a stern reminder that our children’s lives are too precious to be left to chance,” a road safety official stated. “We must be proactive, not reactive, in ensuring their safety.”
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, and authorities have pledged to hold any parties found negligent accountable.
For updates on this story and more, stay tuned.
