37 Killed on Ugandan Roads in 10 Days as Fatal Crashes Raise Safety Concerns

Ugandan roads have claimed at least 37 lives in just 10 days, following a series of fatal crashes that have renewed concerns over road safety, vehicle fitness and the management of long-distance journeys.

The deadly spell has been marked by four major accidents, three involving school buses transporting learners on educational trips, and another involving a passenger service bus.

The latest tragedy occurred on Thursday evening in Kapchorwa District, where 21 people, including 20 pupils of King David Junior School in Ndejje, Kampala, and one adult, died after their bus crashed while returning from a study tour at the popular Sipi Falls.

The Isuzu bus, registration number UA 108BQ, reportedly developed mechanical problems during the journey before the fatal crash at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, hit a large stone and overturned.

The tragedy has since sparked questions about whether proper safety checks were conducted before the learners embarked on the trip and whether the vehicle was fit to transport children over a long distance.

Days earlier, on July 7, 2026, another devastating crash claimed 14 lives and left 28 others injured at Bobi Trading Centre along the Kampala-Gulu Highway.

The crash involved a passenger bus, registration number UBE 110H, belonging to OPIT Travellers Company, and a Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer, registration number KBS 564D/ZE 7948.

According to police, preliminary findings indicated that the bus driver was speeding and attempted to avoid a pedestrian crossing the road, losing control before colliding head-on with the oncoming trailer.

The impact killed 14 passengers instantly, making it one of the deadliest road crashes recorded this year.

On July 10, 2026, one person was killed after a bus belonging to Mwebaze High School in Kakiri, Wakiso District, collided with a train at a railway crossing in Mukono.

Footage from police CCTV cameras showed that the speeding bus driver allegedly ignored a warning from a railway marshal who attempted to stop him as the train approached.

Another crash occurred earlier this week along the Mbale-Iganga Highway in Bugweri District when a school bus, registration number UA 551ED, collided with a stationary Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer, registration number UBB 269V.

The bus, belonging to Amuria High School, was carrying students from St. Paul Secondary School, Katakwi, who were travelling to Kasenyi Landing Site in Entebbe for a geography study tour.

The driver died on the spot, while 13 students, a teacher and the bus conductor sustained injuries.

Four Crashes, 37 Lives Lost

In just 10 days, the four crashes left 37 people dead and more than 80 others injured, translating into an average of nearly four deaths every day on Uganda’s roads during the period.

The magnitude of the loss means the 37 lives lost are equivalent to more than two fully loaded Toyota Hiace taxis carrying passengers being wiped out in a single incident.

The deaths have reignited debate over road safety enforcement, vehicle inspections, driver discipline and the safety standards applied during school trips.

The latest fatalities come against the backdrop of worrying statistics contained in the Uganda Police annual crime report released earlier this year.

The report indicated that 5,383 people were killed in road crashes in 2025, translating into an average of about 15 deaths every day.

Police statistics also show that most fatal crashes occur in the evening hours, particularly between 6pm and 8pm.

The recent crashes largely reflect this trend.

The Kampala-Gulu Highway accident occurred at about 9pm, slightly outside the peak period identified by police, while the Kapchorwa tragedy involving King David Junior School happened at approximately 8pm.

The latest accidents involving school buses have placed school excursions under renewed scrutiny.

Education authorities and parents have questioned the safety of transporting learners over long distances, particularly where vehicles may have mechanical problems or journeys extend into late evening hours.

The Kapchorwa tragedy has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of school trip guidelines, including mandatory vehicle inspections, qualified drivers, proper supervision and comprehensive risk assessments before learners are allowed to travel.

As investigations continue into the individual crashes, the rising death toll has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger road safety measures to prevent avoidable loss of lives.