By Ben Musanje
UNICEF has broken its silence over the recent wave of deadly road accidents involving school-going children in Uganda, calling for urgent measures to protect learners travelling to and from school.
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, UNICEF Representative to Uganda Dr. Robin Nandy expressed deep sorrow over the loss of children in recent crashes, saying the deaths had left families, schools and communities mourning.
The global children’s agency extended condolences to affected families, classmates and communities, stressing that no parent should send a child to school and fail to see them return home.
UNICEF described the deaths as preventable and emphasized that every child has a right to travel to school and return safely.
The statement comes amid growing public concern over school transport safety following a series of fatal accidents, including the Kapchorwa crash that claimed the lives of 24 pupils from King David Junior School and the latest accident involving Nalango students in Busota, Kamuli District.
In Busota, a coaster carrying students collided with a sugarcane truck near Busota Health Centre III, leaving several learners injured, some with serious fractures and others reported to be in critical condition.
The Kamuli District Emergency Medical Services team responded to the scene and evacuated the injured students to nearby health facilities, where medical teams were attending to a large number of casualties.
The exact number of victims from the Busota crash had not been confirmed by the time of publication.
The accident occurred less than a day after the devastating Kapchorwa crash, where a school bus carrying pupils and teachers from King David Junior School overturned at Chekwatit village while returning from a trip to Sipi Falls.
Police investigations indicated that the driver who was also confirmed dead, lost control of the vehicle before it overturned and hit a large stone. The crash killed 24 pupils and teachers, while dozens of others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Following the increasing number of school transport accidents, the government through the Ministry of Education and Sports announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of all school study tours across the country to allow a comprehensive review of safety guidelines.
Dr. Nandy welcomed the government’s response, particularly the suspension of school trips and efforts by the Ministry of Education and Sports to strengthen regulations governing school travel.
The agency said schools must ensure that only roadworthy and licensed vehicles are used, drivers are qualified and well-rested, proper risk assessments are conducted before journeys, and teachers provide adequate supervision throughout trips.
However, UNICEF warned that more action was needed beyond temporary measures.
The organization called for stronger enforcement to reduce speeding near schools, the construction of safe pedestrian crossings and walking paths, and improvements in emergency medical response systems to save lives when accidents occur.
Dr. Nandy noted that road safety is not only a transport issue but also a child rights concern linked to survival, education and the creation of safe environments for children.
Globally, road traffic injuries remain one of the leading causes of death among children and adolescents aged five to 19 years, with low- and middle-income countries carrying the greatest burden.
The agency emphasized that reducing vehicle speeds around schools could significantly improve children’s chances of survival in crashes, noting that a child hit at 30 kilometres per hour has a much higher chance of surviving compared to one hit at 50 kilometres per hour.
The latest accidents have intensified calls from parents, education stakeholders and road safety advocates for stricter monitoring of school transport, improved vehicle inspections and stronger accountability for those responsible for transporting learners.
The Ministries of Education and Sports and Works and Transport, together with the Uganda Police Force, have since launched a coordinated response aimed at reviewing school transport guidelines and strengthening enforcement measures.
Police have also announced plans to provide escorts to ensure the safe return of learners involved in school trips that had already begun before the suspension.
As investigations into the latest crashes continue, UNICEF has urged all stakeholders—including government agencies, schools, transport operators, parents and communities—to work together to ensure that children’s journeys to education do not become journeys into danger.
“Every child has the right to travel to school and return home safely,” Dr Nandy said, warning that protecting children on Uganda’s roads requires immediate and sustained action. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
