The Ministry of Education and Sports has suspended all school trips and educational excursions across the country with immediate effect following the deadly school bus crash in Kapchorwa District that has now claimed 21 lives.
The directive, issued by Acting Education Minister John Chrysostom Muyingo, comes a day after the crash involving a King David Junior School bus returning from an educational tour to Sipi Falls.
Police have since confirmed that the death toll has risen to 21, comprising 20 pupils and one adult. Several other pupils and adults remain hospitalized at Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital with injuries sustained in the crash.
Muyingo said the suspension will remain in force until further notice as the ministry undertakes a comprehensive review of the policy governing school trips and educational excursions to strengthen learner safety.
The ministry said the move follows recent fatal road crashes involving school children and extended condolences to the bereaved families while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
As part of the review, the Permanent Secretary has been directed to immediately reassess the existing school trips policy and strengthen enforcement of safety requirements before such activities can resume.
The ministry has reminded all schools to strictly adhere to safety measures, including conducting risk assessments, obtaining the necessary approvals, informing parents and guardians, avoiding overnight travel, ensuring drivers are well-rested, and maintaining adequate teacher-to-learner supervision throughout every journey.
It added that it is working closely with the Uganda Police Force, the Ministry of Works and Transport and other relevant agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the Kapchorwa crash and implement stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, police say investigations into Thursday’s crash at Chekwatit Village in Kawowo Sub-county are ongoing. The bodies of the deceased remain at Kapchorwa Mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations.
