Fresh details have emerged on the events leading up to the fatal King David Junior School bus crash in Kapchorwa, with eyewitnesses claiming the vehicle had developed mechanical problems several times before the accident but continued its journey despite warnings.
The crash, which occurred on Thursday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, claimed the lives of 21 people, including 20 pupils and one adult male, according to police.
The pupils were returning from an educational tour to Sipi Falls when the school bus, registration number UA 108BQ, overturned, killing several learners and injuring others.
According to an eyewitness who spoke about the events before the crash, the bus developed mechanical problems shortly after reaching Amugul Sub-county, where mechanics were called to inspect and repair it.
The eyewitness said the pupils were asked to leave the vehicle during the repairs after mechanics reportedly informed the driver that the bus had a serious mechanical problem and could not safely continue carrying learners.
However, the driver allegedly insisted that he was in control of the situation.
“When the mechanics told the driver that the bus had a big problem and could not continue with the pupils, he insisted that he knew what he was doing,” the eyewitness said.
After repairs were carried out, the pupils were reportedly allowed back onto the bus and the journey continued until the vehicle reached the Towei area, where it developed another mechanical problem.
The pupils were again asked to leave the bus and were instructed to walk towards Sipi Falls as the vehicle was being repaired at Towei Corner.
The eyewitness said after the repairs, the driver drove the bus uphill without the pupils and later asked them to board again after reaching Sipi Falls.
However, some local residents reportedly raised concerns about the safety of the vehicle and advised against continuing with the bus.
“Locals insisted it wasn’t safe, but the driver said he knew what he was doing and that the bus had a minor problem,” the eyewitness said.
According to the account, the pupils boarded the bus and within about 15 minutes, tragedy struck as the vehicle crashed.
Traffic and Road Safety Police spokesperson Michael Kananura confirmed that 21 people had died in the crash.
“We wish to confirm that, following the fatal road traffic crash that occurred yesterday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, a total of 21 people, comprising 20 pupils and one adult, have so far been confirmed dead,” Kananura said.
He said several survivors, whose identities had not yet been established, were rushed to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for medical treatment.
Kananura said preliminary findings indicate that the pupils had travelled to Sipi Falls for an educational tour before the crash occurred during their return journey.
“While returning from the tour, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned,” he said.
Police said the victims included 20 pupils and one adult male, while three adult males and several juveniles sustained injuries.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kapchorwa Mortuary pending identification by relatives and postmortem examinations.
Police have launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the crash, including the circumstances surrounding the reported mechanical problems.
The driver of the bus had not been identified by the time police issued their statement.
Kananura said further updates would be provided as investigations continue.
