Ministry Probes Fatal Mukono Train-Bus Collision

A solemn investigation is underway following a devastating accident at the Namumira railway crossing in Mukono District. A passenger train, en route from Mukono to Kampala, collided with a bus carrying over 70 students from Mwebaza High School around 6 am on Friday.

The students were on a study trip to Jinja when the collision occurred, causing the bus to overturn and leaving many occupants injured. Emergency services were quickly mobilized, with critically injured students being transported to Mukono General Hospital.

Allan Ssempebwa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Works and Transport, confirmed that the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) and the Uganda Police Force are leading the investigation. The Ministry’s Rail Safety Division has also dispatched a team to aid in determining the cause of the crash.

Preliminary findings from Uganda Railways Corporation suggest the bus driver may not have heeded warning signals. Reports indicate a police officer near the crossing attempted to signal the bus to stop, but it proceeded onto the tracks. The train crew reportedly sounded the horn multiple times before impact.

Eyewitness accounts offer differing perspectives. Some suggest the bus driver might not have heard the train’s horn due to loud music and singing inside the bus, while others assert the horn was clearly audible. Residents have also voiced concerns about the crossing’s safety, noting a lack of adequate warning infrastructure and alleged obstructions from parked trucks near the site.

Uganda Railways is working on installing automated barriers at busy crossings, emphasizing that infrastructure improvements must be complemented by responsible road user behavior. The ongoing investigation aims to thoroughly examine all contributing factors, including the driver’s actions, the crossing’s infrastructure, and the effectiveness of existing safety measures.

Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.