The Ugandan government has begun an urgent review of school transport safety following a series of fatal road accidents involving students on educational excursions.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Uganda Police Force met in Kampala to discuss measures aimed at preventing further tragedies during school study tours.
The high-level meeting brought together the Ministry of Education spokesperson, Dr. Dennis Mugimba, Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, Winston Katushabe, and the Head of Traffic Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police Lawrence Nuwabine.
According to sources, the discussions focused on introducing stricter safety guidelines for school trips, including mandatory vehicle inspections, enhanced driver requirements, improved supervision of educational tours, and stronger transport regulations.
The meeting followed the devastating crash involving a King David Junior School bus in Kapchorwa District, which claimed the lives of at least 20 pupils and the school’s director, Tadeo Ssekade, as they returned from a study tour to Sipi Falls.
The tragedy was the third fatal school transport accident within six days. Earlier incidents included a crash in Mukono District, where a teacher died after a school bus collided with a train, and another in Bugweri District, where a school bus driver lost his life.
The repeated accidents have sparked widespread concern over the safety of school excursions, with parents and education stakeholders urging authorities to strengthen oversight and enforce stricter standards for schools organising long-distance trips.
Government officials are expected to announce new safety measures after concluding the inter-agency consultations.
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