By Tragedy Strikes as School Bus Overturns, Killing Two Pupils from Star Junior School
What began as a joyful Sunday morning for pupils of Star Junior School in Makindye ended in heartbreak after their school bus overturned along the Mityana Road, claiming the lives of at least two children and injuring several others.
The pupils had spent the day on an educational excursion — a regular weekend activity designed to enhance their learning beyond the classroom. However, the return journey turned tragic when the yellow HMK school bus (registration number UAP 829U) veered off the road near Zigoti Town Council and rolled several times.
The aftermath was harrowing: twisted metal, scattered schoolbags, and cries for help marked the scene.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying sequence of events. “The bus was swaying before it lost control and started rolling. Children were screaming and being thrown out,” said James Mbabazi, a local mechanic who rushed to assist after hearing the crash.
Local residents, boda boda riders, and market vendors were the first on the scene, bravely pulling injured children from the wreckage before emergency services arrived.
“We tried to help. Some kids were still breathing. Others weren’t moving,” recalled another witness, visibly shaken by the events.
Police and ambulance teams responded swiftly, transporting the injured to Mityana General Hospital. Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of casualties or the conditions of those hospitalized.
A police spokesperson stated that investigations are ongoing. “We are examining all potential causes, including mechanical failure and driver error. It’s too early to draw any conclusions.”
The bus has since been towed to a secure facility for further forensic examination. The tragedy has reignited public concern over the safety of school transport, particularly during extracurricular activities.
