WAKISO
Questions over compliance with passenger capacity regulations have emerged following the deadly Kapchorwa school bus crash after the Government revealed that the vehicle was carrying 107 pupils were travelling in the bus that crashed on Thursday evening.
Speaking at King David Junior School in Ndejje, Wakiso District, acting Education Minister Dr JC Muyingo disclosed that the school has an enrolment of 936 pupils, of whom 217 travelled to Kapchorwa for an educational tour.
“I have been told that the total number of pupils in this school is 936. Of these, 217 pupils went for a trip to Kapchorwa using four motor vehicles, including two buses and two drone cars. Out of these, 107 pupils were in the bus that was involved in the crash,” Muyingo said.
The bus overturned at Chekwatit Village in Kawowo Sub-county after reportedly hitting a large roadside rock as the pupils returned from Sipi Falls.
The revelation that more than 100 pupils were travelling in a single bus has sparked questions over overloading and compliance with transport safety regulations, with parents urging the government and transport experts to examine the issue as part of ongoing investigations.
The crash claimed 21 lives, including pupils, teachers and the school director, while dozens of survivors sustained injuries and were admitted to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
Following the tragedy, the Government suspended all school trips and educational tours across the country until further notice and temporarily closed King David Junior School for two weeks to allow investigations and mourning.
Police and officials from the Ministries of Education and Works are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether the bus complied with road safety and passenger capacity regulations.
