Two students have been confirmed dead and several others seriously injured following two separate road crashes involving school teams traveling for USSSA games in Budaka and Ngora districts.
According to Police, the first incident occurred on Tuesday at Jami Malo Nine along Tirinyi Road in Budaka District. A driver, now in police custody, was transporting students of Iki-Iki Senior Secondary School in an Isuzu Elf. While attempting to evade a police checkpoint via a feeder road, the driver lost control of the vehicle as he rejoined the main road, causing it to overturn.
Several students sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital, where a 17-year-old Senior Two student later succumbed.
The second incident happened a day earlier on Monday along the Mukura–Kakise Road in Ngora District. A driver transporting students of Mukura Memorial Senior Secondary School in a Fuso truck lost control after students sat on top of the vehicle, adding excessive weight that compromised its structure.
The metal bars they were seated on gave way, throwing several students off the truck. Many suffered serious injuries, and a 19-year-old Senior Four student later died in hospital.
Michael Kananura, the Community Liaison Officer and Public Relations Officer at the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, confirmed that both crashes resulted from dangerous transport practices that violated established regulations.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their children in these incidents,” he said.
Kananura added that action has been taken against the drivers involved, as well as the head teachers of the respective schools, for negligence and failure to adhere to safety guidelines.
He noted that despite clear directives from the Ministry of Education and Sports prohibiting the use of trucks to transport students, some individuals continue to disregard these rules, putting lives at risk.
“Any school or individual found transporting students on trucks will face immediate legal action,” he warned.
He also called upon parents, school administrators, and management committees to work closely with authorities to eliminate the dangerous practice of unsafe student transportation.
