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By Spy Uganda
Fresh details have emerged surrounding the tragic King David Junior School bus crash in Kapchorwa District, with eyewitnesses alleging that the vehicle developed repeated mechanical problems before the fatal accident but continued its journey despite warnings from mechanics and local residents.
The crash, which occurred on Thursday evening at Chekwatit Village in Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, claimed the lives of 21 people, including 20 pupils and one adult male, according to Uganda Police.
The pupils were returning from an educational tour to the popular Sipi Falls when the school bus, registration number UA 108BQ, reportedly lost control, veered off the road, struck a large roadside stone and overturned.
According to an eyewitness, the bus first developed mechanical problems shortly after reaching Amugul Sub-county, where mechanics were called to inspect and repair it.
The witness said the pupils were asked to disembark as mechanics examined the vehicle. After the inspection, the mechanics allegedly warned the driver that the bus had a serious mechanical defect and should not continue transporting the children.
Despite the warning, the driver reportedly insisted that the bus was safe.
“When the mechanics told the driver that the bus had a big problem and could not continue with the pupils, he insisted that he knew what he was doing,” the eyewitness claimed.
After repairs, the journey resumed, but the bus allegedly broke down again upon reaching the Towei area.
The pupils were once again asked to get off the bus and walk towards Sipi Falls while the vehicle underwent further repairs at Towei Corner.
According to the eyewitness, the driver later drove the repaired bus uphill without passengers before asking the pupils to board again after reaching Sipi Falls.
The witness further claimed that some local residents expressed concern about the condition of the vehicle and advised against continuing the journey.
“Locals insisted it wasn’t safe, but the driver said he knew what he was doing and that the bus had only a minor problem,” the eyewitness alleged.
Moments later, tragedy struck.
The eyewitness said the bus crashed approximately 15 minutes after the pupils re-boarded.
Traffic and Road Safety Police spokesperson Michael Kananura confirmed that 21 people had so far been confirmed dead.
“We wish to confirm that, following the fatal road traffic crash that occurred yesterday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, a total of 21 people, comprising 20 pupils and one adult, have so far been confirmed dead,” Kananura said.
He added that several survivors, whose identities had not yet been established, were rushed to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the pupils had travelled to Sipi Falls for an educational tour and were returning when the accident occurred.
“While returning from the tour, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned,” Kananura said.
Police confirmed that, besides the fatalities, three adult males and several juveniles sustained injuries.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kapchorwa Mortuary pending identification by relatives and postmortem examinations.
Investigators have now launched inquiries to establish the exact cause of the crash, including claims that the bus experienced multiple mechanical failures before the accident.
The identity of the driver had not been released by the time police issued their statement.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/eyewitnesses-kapchorwa-school-bus-developed-repeated-mechanical-faults-before-deadly-crash/
