MUKONO, Uganda — Police have arrested the driver of a Friendship Coaches bus that collided with a passenger train in Mukono District in July, killing a teacher and injuring dozens of students.
Kikomeko Christopher, the driver, was arrested on Sunday following investigations into the crash at the Namumira-Bukasa railway crossing along the Mukono-Katosi Road. Police said he is expected to face 44 charges in court.
The charges include one count of reckless driving, one count of causing death by reckless driving, 40 counts of causing bodily injury and one count of causing damage to a railway train, according to Police spokesperson Michael Kananura.
The crash occurred on July 10, 2026, at about 6:30am as the Friendship Coaches bus, carrying students and staff of Mwebaza High School in Kakiri, Wakiso District, was travelling to Jinja for an educational trip.
The bus collided with a Kampala-bound passenger train at the railway crossing.
One female teacher was killed in the crash, while several students sustained injuries and were taken to health facilities, including Mukono General Hospital. Parliament later called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident and the safety of railway crossings.
Driver to face court
Police said their investigations established sufficient grounds to arrest Kikomeko and charge him over the crash.
He is expected to be presented before court to face the 44 charges and undergo the normal judicial process.
“The suspect will be presented before court to undergo the due process of law,” Kananura said, according to New Vision.
Preliminary findings following the crash indicated that the bus entered the railway crossing as the train approached. Reports at the time said a railway police officer had signalled the driver to stop, while the train crew also sounded its horn.
The allegations will, however, be tested in court.
Questions over railway safety
The arrest has revived concerns about safety at Uganda’s railway crossings, particularly those used by large numbers of vehicles.
Following the accident, Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa directed the Committee on Physical Infrastructure to investigate the collision.
Tayebwa questioned the safety arrangements at railway crossings and called for stronger measures to prevent vehicles from entering tracks when trains are approaching.
The accident also renewed calls for physical barriers, warning systems and stricter enforcement at railway crossings.
Uganda Railways Corporation has identified the improvement of level crossings as part of efforts to modernise the railway network. Its plans include upgrading crossings and introducing measures intended to improve safety.
The Mukono-Kampala railway corridor is particularly busy, with Uganda Railways operating commuter services that serve thousands of passengers each day.
For the families of the students and teacher involved, the July crash was supposed to be an educational trip that never reached its destination.
Now, nearly two months later, the driver is facing 44 charges.
