KAMPALA, Uganda — Parliament has directed a committee inquiry into last week’s fatal collision between a school bus and a passenger train in Mukono District, as lawmakers push for stronger safety measures at railway crossing points across the country.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa issued the directive on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, following a request by Mukono County South MP Robert Maseruka, who asked Parliament to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
The accident occurred on July 10 at the Namumira–Bukasa railway level crossing along Katosi Road in Nakisunga Sub-County, Mukono District, when a bus carrying students and teachers from Mwebaza High School collided with a Uganda Railways passenger train.
The group was travelling to Jinja for an educational tour when the crash happened. A female passenger died at the scene, while several students and other occupants sustained injuries and were taken for medical treatment.
Preliminary reports indicate that the bus entered the railway crossing despite warning signals and attempts by security personnel to stop it. Investigations remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances that led to the collision.
Committee to Investigate Railway Safety
Tayebwa directed Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure to examine the accident, including the condition of the railway crossing, enforcement of safety regulations and possible measures to improve protection for road users.
Maseruka told Parliament that the incident exposed gaps in railway safety management and called for urgent interventions to prevent further loss of lives.
He proposed the installation of modern warning systems, strengthening of barriers at railway crossings, increased public awareness campaigns and a nationwide assessment of railway infrastructure.
The legislator also called for stricter enforcement against motorists who disregard railway crossing regulations, arguing that stronger penalties would discourage reckless behaviour.
Government Says Measures Are Underway
The Second Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Crispus Kiyonga, informed Parliament that government had already discussed the matter and was taking steps in response to the accident.
Tayebwa said preventing similar incidents would require more reliable systems instead of depending solely on traffic officers to manage railway crossings.
“When the train is crossing, we should block the roads,” Tayebwa said.
The parliamentary inquiry comes amid renewed concerns over railway safety, school transport standards and the ability of road and railway authorities to manage high-risk crossing points.
Families of those affected are now awaiting findings from both the parliamentary investigation and ongoing police inquiries into the crash.
