Police said the bus, carrying pupils from King David Junior School in Kampala, was returning from an educational trip to Sipi Falls when the driver reportedly lost control on a steep stretch of road near Kaserem. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a large rock and overturned, leaving dozens of passengers trapped inside.

Authorities initially reported 21 fatalities, but the toll increased after three injured pupils died while receiving treatment in hospital. Police said six of the victims had not yet been formally identified by Friday evening, and 23 injured passengers remained hospitalized in Kapchorwa.

"The temporary suspension of all school field trips will allow a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent crashes involving schoolchildren," the Uganda Police Force said in a statement, adding that the review will examine transport safety procedures, school travel guidelines and driver compliance.

The Ministry of Education and Sports convened an emergency meeting on Friday and instructed all schools with students currently on educational excursions to report immediately to the nearest police station. Police officers have been directed to provide escorts where necessary to ensure students return safely to their schools.

Speaking to Diplomat News Network, road safety analyst **Dr. Samuel Kaggwa**, a Kampala-based transport policy researcher, said the tragedy underscores persistent weaknesses in commercial passenger safety. "School transport requires stricter vehicle inspections, qualified drivers and stronger enforcement on routes known for steep terrain and hazardous road conditions," he said.

The crash occurred more than 250 kilometers northeast of Kampala along the route connecting Kapchorwa and Mbale, an area visited by tourists traveling to the scenic Sipi Falls. Police photographs from the scene showed the bus heavily damaged after overturning beside the roadway, as emergency responders, local residents and health workers assisted survivors under overcast afternoon conditions.

Three additional vehicles transporting other pupils from the same school completed the journey without incident, according to police.

Uganda continues to face significant road safety challenges, with buses and heavy trucks frequently involved in fatal crashes on sections of road affected by difficult terrain and infrastructure deficiencies. 

Official road safety statistics recorded 4,434 fatal traffic collisions resulting in 5,144 deaths in 2024. In October last year, a separate collision involving two buses claimed at least 46 lives, highlighting ongoing concerns over highway safety.

Police said investigations into the Kapchorwa crash remain underway as authorities work to determine the precise cause of the accident and assess whether additional safety measures are required for school transportation nationwide.