Authorities in Kapchorwa District have urged parents and guardians of victims of the fatal school bus crash at Chekwatit Hill to remain calm and follow established legal procedures before bodies can be released for burial.
The crash, involving a bus belonging to King David Junior School in Ndejje, claimed the lives of at least 26 people, most of them pupils returning from a study tour to Sipi Falls. More than 70 others were injured.
Dr. Siraji Masai, the Kapchorwa District Health Officer,said some parents and guardians had sought to receive the bodies of their children from Kapchorwa General Hospital Mortuary, but authorities could not release them before all legal requirements were fulfilled.
“We are not denying parents the opportunity to receive the bodies of their loved ones, but the process must follow legal procedures and guidance from the security agencies,” Dr. Masai said.
He explained that because the victims include schoolchildren, identification and documentation processes must be completed before the bodies are handed over to relatives. He appealed to affected families to remain patient as authorities work to expedite the exercise.
Masai said health workers, police officers and district authorities were continuing to manage casualties and support families affected by the tragedy.
Sipi Region Police Spokesperson Fredmark Chesang said preliminary investigations indicate that the bus may have developed a mechanical fault before the driver lost control while descending the steep Chekwatit Hill in Kowo Sub-county.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the bus lost control due to a mechanical fault. We have also established from eyewitness accounts that the vehicle made several stopovers before the accident. Investigations into the exact circumstances of the crash are ongoing,” Chesang said.
Police have since released the names of some of the deceased. The identified victims include Ssekade Tadeo, the school director, Amal, Draxler G, Kiyimba M, Mustwala Eyem, Nyang Sunday, Ihanga, Ocholu and Joshua G. Eleven other bodies had not been formally identified by Friday morning.
According to police, all the bodies were transferred to Kapchorwa General Hospital Mortuary pending postmortem examinations and formal identification by relatives.
The injured were rushed to Kapchorwa General Hospital, Kaserem Health Centre IV and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
The Chekwatit Hill crash is among the deadliest road accidents involving schoolchildren in the Sebei Sub-region in recent years. Authorities say a comprehensive report will be released after investigations are completed and all victims have been accounted for-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
