Schools on Trips Ordered to Report to Police After Fatal Crash

The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued an urgent directive for schools to have learners currently on study trips report to the nearest police station. This action comes in the wake of a devastating school bus crash in Kapchorwa that claimed the lives of 21 students and five staff members.

Acting Minister of Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, announced the suspension of all educational tours and study trips requiring road travel, both domestically and internationally, until further notice. The Uganda Police Force has been tasked with coordinating the safe return of students presently on these excursions.

“Schools that are already on an ongoing study trip or tour are instructed to stop at the nearest police station for further guidance and assistance on how to return safely to their respective schools,” Dr. Muyingo stated during an inter-ministerial briefing.

This decision is part of emergency measures designed to prevent similar tragedies. Previously, the ministry had issued guidelines on May 16, 2025, requiring schools to secure approvals, assess trip safety, ensure vehicle roadworthiness, limit passenger capacity, notify police, and restrict travel to daylight hours. The guidelines also prohibited nursery and kindergarten learners from participating in trips.

However, the Kapchorwa accident highlighted enforcement gaps, prompting the ministry to establish an inter-ministerial task force within seven days to develop more robust regulations for educational trips. The primary focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of all learners. The government has initiated a broader multi-ministry response to investigate the accident and enhance school transport safety standards across Uganda.

For more details, please refer to the report on Nile Post.