Members of Parliament have called for immediate regulation and enforcement of safety guidelines for school trips following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of two pupils on Saturday, August 2, 2025, along Mityana Road.
The accident involved pupils from Daystar Junior School in Makindye Division, who were returning from an excursion to Kasese District. Two children died on the spot, while 11 others sustained serious injuries.
Raising the matter of national importance before Parliament on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Kalungu West County MP Hon. Joseph Ssewungu questioned the Ministry of Education’s oversight in authorizing long-distance trips for young learners.
“The Ministry of Education must explain how school trips are organized, the timing, route planning, and age suitability. I’m shocked that nursery pupils were taken from Kampala all the way to Kasese,” said Ssewungu, a former teacher.
He expressed disbelief over the decision to subject children, some reportedly in nursery and lower primary, to such a long journey.
“Sending a P1 to P3 child on that kind of trip is unprecedented,” he added.
According to a police report cited in Parliament, the accident was likely caused by the bus driver falling asleep while on the road.
Ssewungu called for an immediate investigation and accountability from the Ministry.
“What guidelines are in place? What instructions are schools receiving that permit such reckless conduct?” he asked.
In addition to safety concerns, Ssewungu also criticized the financial strain these trips place on parents.
“How can a trip cost more than the school fees? Some children can’t even afford lunch, yet schools demand extra for excursions,” he said.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among echoed the concerns, decrying unsafe transport arrangements in schools.
“I have seen students packed onto lorries. At least this time they were in a bus, but what if it had been a lorry?” she questioned.
The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), Hon. David Bahati, who represented the Executive in the House, pledged that the Ministry of Education and Sports would respond to the issue.
Speaker Among also warned against growing inequality and potential exploitation, especially in cases where schools organize international trips.
“If a parent cannot afford, and schools insist on foreign trips, aren’t we promoting discrimination and extortion?” she asked.
Bahati assured MPs that their concerns would be addressed. “We will relay this matter to the Minister of Education and Sports, and I am confident a formal statement will be presented to Parliament next week,” he said.
The Source Reports.
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