World

Twenty pupils die in Uganda bus crash, government bans all school outings

By Reuters Reuters

Updated July 17, 2026 5:45 PM

People walk near the wreckage of a bus, owned by King David Junior School, on the shoulder of the road following an accident that killed schoolchildren on the way back from an educational visit to Sipi Falls, at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, Uganda, July 17, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer — People walk near the wreckage of a bus, owned by King David Junior School, on the shoulder of the road following an accident that killed schoolchildren on the way back from an educational visit to Sipi Falls, at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, Uganda, July 17, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

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KAMPALA - Twenty schoolchildren died when the bus carrying them crashed on the way back from a trip to some waterfalls in eastern Uganda late on Thursday, authorities said.

The government said on Friday it was banning all school excursions as the tragedy prompted outpourings of grief and online posts demanding better safety standards.

Preliminary investigations suggested the driver lost control, and the bus veered off the road and turned over after hitting a large stone, police said in a post on X.

The bus, owned by King David Junior School in the capital Kampala, was returning from an educational visit to Sipi Falls, and crashed at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, police added.

One adult also died, and three adults and several children were injured, officials said.

Road accidents are common in Uganda, with experts often blaming poorly maintained vehicles and a lack of street lighting.

In October last year, 46 people died in a bus crash on one of the country's main highways between the capital and the northern city of Gulu.

Education Minister Chrysostom Muyingo had "put a hold on all school trips and excursions, effective immediately and until further notice," a government communications agency said on Friday.

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Writing by Vincent Mumo Nzilani; Editing by Alexander Winning and Andrew Heavens)

Vehicles drive past the wreckage of a bus, owned by King David Junior School, on the shoulder of the road following an accident that killed schoolchildren on the way back from an educational visit to Sipi Falls; at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, Uganda, July 17, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer — Vehicles drive past the wreckage of a bus, owned by King David Junior School, on the shoulder of the road following an accident that killed schoolchildren on the way back from an educational visit to Sipi Falls; at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, Uganda, July 17, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

People gather near the wreckage of a bus, owned by King David Junior School, on the shoulder of the road following an accident that killed schoolchildren on the way back from an educational visit to Sipi Falls; at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, Uganda, July 17, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer — People gather near the wreckage of a bus, owned by King David Junior School, on the shoulder of the road following an accident that killed schoolchildren on the way back from an educational visit to Sipi Falls; at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, Uganda, July 17, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

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This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM.