Uganda bus crash kills at least 20 schoolchildren

At least 20 schoolchildren have been killed after a school bus crashed while carrying pupils on a study tour in eastern Uganda on Thursday, according to officials.

The bus, carrying pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje, crashed at about 20:00 local time at Chekwatit village in the Kawowo area, police said.

One adult was also killed, while several other people, including members of the school staff, were injured in the crash in the Kapchorwa area.

According to officials, the crash happened after the driver lost control when the bus suffered a mechanical fault on Chekwatit Hill.

The area has been the scene of several deadly accidents in recent years.

Videos shared by eyewitnesses showed the bus badly damaged as local residents rushed to help the injured children.

The pupils were returning from a study tour. Local media reported that they had visited the Sipi Falls, a tourist area.

Uganda records thousands of road deaths every year. According to traffic authorities, speeding, poorly maintained vehicles and dangerous roads are among the leading causes.

The latest crash comes amid renewed concern over the safety of school transport after several serious bus accidents were reported in the country in recent weeks.