Multiple students injured as school bus collides with sugarcane truck in Kamuli

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing URN, reported that multiple students were injured on Friday night when a school bus and a sugarcane truck collided in Kamuli District. The crash happened at around 9:30pm in Busota, near Busota Health Centre III, as learners were reportedly returning from a study tour.

Busoga North Police spokesperson Samson Lubega said the bus was transporting students from Nalango Secondary School and belonged to Bugaya Secondary School. According to the report, 31 students were on board, including 20 boys and 11 girls. Police said no deaths had been confirmed in the Kamuli crash, but several learners suffered serious injuries, including fractures, and some were said to be in critical condition. Some of the injured were taken to Busota Health Centre, while more severe cases were referred to larger facilities.

Preliminary police findings cited by The Independent Uganda indicate the sugarcane truck driver allegedly tried to overtake at speed without a clear view of the road. The truck was reportedly travelling from Kamuli toward Jinja City. Police had not yet verified the full number of injured students at the time of the report.

The incident adds to heightened concern about school transport safety in Uganda. The report noted that it came shortly after government suspended school trips following a deadly crash involving St David Junior School Ndejje pupils in Kapchorwa District, and after other recent school-vehicle incidents in Bugweri and Mukono. The crashes have prompted renewed calls for stricter vehicle checks, competent drivers and better enforcement of traffic rules on school trips.