A joint team of investigators from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has launched investigations into the fatal school bus crash in Kapchorwa District that claimed more than 24 lives.
The crash occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Thursday in Chekwatit Village when a bus transporting pupils of St. David Junior School, Masajja, overturned after the driver reportedly lost control. Police said the bus struck a large rock before overturning.
Although preliminary findings suggest a possible mechanical failure, Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said investigations are still ongoing and warned the public against relying on unverified information circulating on social media. He said several conflicting accounts have emerged since the tragedy, and these will be addressed in a comprehensive investigation report once inquiries are complete.
Among the false claims, Rusoke said, was that the bus driver survived the crash and fled the scene, prompting anxious families to demand his arrest. He clarified that the driver died in the accident and was among the victims whose bodies were initially difficult to identify. He was buried on Saturday.
Rusoke said investigators are examining several aspects of the tragedy but declined to disclose specific lines of inquiry. “I know you are asking about the line of inquiry on the St. David’s crash. Let us give the investigators an opportunity because their freedom of action is very wide. I can’t sit here and say this or that, but a report will soon come out, and the general public will know the outcome,” Rusoke said.
However, a senior traffic officer familiar with the investigation, who spoke to Uganda Radio Network on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the institution, said the probe is being conducted by a joint team of CID detectives and senior officers from the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety under the leadership of the Director of Traffic and Road Safety, AIGP Lawrence Nuwabiine.
According to the officer, investigators are scrutinising the contractual agreement between St. David Junior School and Liberty Bus Company to establish whether there was any negligence by the school administration.
“The team is reviewing how the bus was hired, the amount paid and the conditions agreed upon by both parties. The aim is to establish whether there was negligence on the part of the school administration,” the officer said. Investigators are also examining whether the bus carried more passengers than had originally been agreed upon.
“More questions require answers from the school side. Some schools agree to transport 30 pupils, but when it comes to departure, the administration makes another arrangement with the driver and adds another 30 pupils. That is negligence at first sight,” the officer added.
The investigation is also focusing on Liberty Bus Company. Detectives are examining the maintenance history and roadworthiness of the bus, inspection records, passenger capacity, and the qualifications and experience of the deceased driver.
Although the driver died in the crash, investigators expect the company to provide documentation regarding his driving licence, training and familiarity with the route. Meanwhile, police have stepped up enforcement of the nationwide suspension of school trips and educational excursions announced after the Kapchorwa tragedy.
Rusoke said police impounded 18 school buses at the Nile Bridge after they were found travelling at night. The buses were held until 6:00 a.m. before being allowed to continue their journeys. He warned that the suspension remains in force and cautioned schools against organising trips in defiance of the directive.
“The buses were moving at an odd hour, so we stopped them and held them until 6:00 a.m., when we allowed them to proceed. We want to caution the public that the restriction is still in force. We are getting intelligence that some schools are still organising and announcing school trips, and we shall swing into action and apprehend the heads of those schools,” Rusoke said. Police defended the decision to hold the buses overnight, saying the temporary inconvenience was necessary to protect learners.
Following the crash, the government suspended all school trips and educational excursions across Uganda. The Ministry of Education and Sports also announced a series of reforms aimed at improving the safety of school transport, including mandatory vehicle inspections, stricter vetting of drivers and tighter regulation of transport operators used by schools-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
