A conductor was killed instantly, and 17 students were injured after a bus belonging to Gulu Secondary School collided head-on with a Fuso truck near Kigumba early Thursday morning.
According to the Traffic Police spokesperson, Michael Kananura, the accident occurred at about 5:44 a.m. as the school bus was transporting students to Jinja for an educational tour.
“According to reports, the crash occurred when the bus driver attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided head-on with a Fuso truck travelling in the opposite direction,” Kananura said.
He confirmed that the bus conductor died on the spot, while 17 students sustained injuries.
“Of these, two were critically injured while 15 sustained minor injuries,” Kananura added.
Police said the injured students were rushed to Kiryandongo Hospital for emergency treatment before some were referred to other health facilities for specialised care.
Sources at the school said more than 40 students were on board the bus at the time of the crash. A teacher reportedly suffered fractured arms while a photographer attached to the trip sustained broken legs.
The headteacher of Gulu Secondary School said the school administration was working closely with police and medical personnel to ensure the affected students received adequate care and counselling.
“Our priority now is the safety and recovery of the students and staff affected by this unfortunate accident,” the headteacher said. “We are also coordinating with parents and guardians to keep them informed.”
The crash once again raises concerns about reckless overtaking and dangerous driving on Uganda’s highways, which continue to claim thousands of lives annually.
Police said investigations into the exact cause of the accident are ongoing.
