At least five students of Iki-Iki Senior Secondary School in Budaka District have died and dozens others were injured after a truck they were travelling in overturned along the Mbale–Tirinyi Road on Tuesday morning.
According to an incident report from Bukedi North Region Police, the crash occurred at around 9:30am at Jami Mailo Nine along the Mbale-Tirinyi Highway.
Police identified at least one of the deceased, a 17-year-old Senior Two student but this newspaper is withholding her identity at least until after 24 hours for the family to first be notified.
The police report indicates that the students were travelling in a white Isuzu Elf truck, registration number UAP 443Z, heading to Jami Seed Secondary School for games when the accident happened.
Preliminary findings suggest that the driver was using a feeder road and was attempting to join the main Mbale–Tirinyi Road when he lost control and the vehicle overturned, injuring many of the students who were on board.
Police said the vehicle was carrying several students, including 12 girls and 26 boys, as well as a school cook and two security guards.
Witnesses at the scene told Daily Monitor the vehicle overturned near a sharp section of the road, leaving many students trapped under the wreckage before they were rescued by residents and first responders.
Several injured students were rushed to nearby health facilities, including Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, while others were taken to health centres within Budaka District for treatment.
Police officers from Budaka Police Station visited and documented the scene as investigations into the exact cause of the crash continue.
Authorities have warned schools against transporting students in unsafe vehicles, especially trucks, noting that such vehicles are not designed to carry passengers and pose a high risk during travel.
The accident has sparked concern among parents and residents in the area, many of whom rushed to hospitals in search of their children and relatives following the crash.
Police said more details, including the identities of the other deceased students and the condition of the injured, will be released after families are notified and investigations are completed.
