Private Schools Declare National Day of Mourning for Kapchorwa Crash Victims

What the report says

Nile Post reports that the National Private Educational Institutions Association has asked private schools across Uganda to observe a national day of mourning on Wednesday after a fatal school bus crash in Kapchorwa District. The crash involved pupils and staff from King David Junior School and occurred on the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road near Kaserem. According to the report, Traffic Police said the confirmed death toll had risen to 24 pupils and one adult after three more children died while receiving treatment.

The publisher reported that 18 of the deceased had been identified, while six bodies remained at hospitals in Kapchorwa and Mbale awaiting identification. At least 23 injured victims were still being treated at Kapchorwa Hospital, while pupils who did not need admission had been taken back to Kampala. NPEIA said participating schools would lower flags to half-mast and use the day for reflection, prayer and emotional support for learners and teachers affected by the crash.

NPEIA leaders also responded to the government’s indefinite suspension of school educational trips. While acknowledging the tragedy, they argued that excursions remain important to learning and warned against making the suspension permanent. The association said many schools hire buses from private operators, and it urged stronger enforcement of licensing, vehicle inspection and driver monitoring rather than a broad restriction on school trips.

Nile Post adds that road safety consultant Sam Bambaza called for tougher action against dangerous driving, including renewed breathalyser operations. The Kapchorwa crash comes amid wider concern about school transport safety after other incidents involving learners, including a reported collision in Kamuli District. Government ministries and police are reviewing school transport enforcement as investigations continue.