At least 20 pupils of King David Junior School, Ndejje, are feared dead and more than 60 others injured following a tragic road crash involving their school bus at Chekwatit Hill in Kowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District.

The pupils were returning from a study tour on Thursday when the bus, registration number UA 108BQ, reportedly developed a mechanical fault, causing the driver to lose control before the vehicle crashed. Chekwatit Hill is widely regarded as one of the country’s notorious accident black spots, with a history of fatal crashes.

Sipi Region Police spokesperson Fredmark Chesang confirmed the incident, saying preliminary investigations point to mechanical failure as the likely cause of the crash.

“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 officers, residents and emergency responders rushed to the scene to rescue the victims, many of whom were trapped in the wreckage, before transporting them to nearby health facilities.

Chesang urged motorists, particularly those operating passenger vehicles, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically roadworthy before embarking on long journeys, noting that Chekwatit Hill remains one of the most dangerous sections of road in the Sebei sub-region.

The injured pupils were taken to Kapchorwa General Hospital and other nearby health facilities for emergency treatment.