The National Private Educational Institutions Association (NPEIA) has declared Wednesday a national day of mourning for 24 pupils and an adult who died in the King David Junior School road crash in Kapchorwa District.
The death toll from the crash, which occurred along the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road near Kaserem, rose to 24 after three more pupils died while receiving treatment, according to Traffic Police.
In an update issued on Friday evening, Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said the additional deaths brought the confirmed fatalities from the crash to 24.
"As of this evening, 24 fatalities have been confirmed," Kananura said.
Police said 18 of the deceased victims have so far been positively identified, while three unidentified bodies remain at Kapchorwa Hospital and another three are at Mbale Hospital awaiting identification.
At least 23 victims are still admitted at Kapchorwa Hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the crash, while surviving pupils who did not require hospitalisation have been safely returned to Kampala aboard a Gateway bus.
NPEIA said all private schools across the country are expected to participate in Wednesday's mourning, with flags at participating institutions flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.
During a press briefing at the association's headquarters in Namuwongo, NPEIA leaders said the nationwide mourning period is intended to provide an opportunity for reflection, prayer and emotional support for learners and teachers affected by the tragedy.
NPEIA Chairperson Hasadu Kirabira said many learners have been traumatised by the deaths of their peers, with some now afraid of boarding school buses and participating in educational trips.
"We feel the pain of the parents and the entire nation. It is important that our schools come together as a family to provide a space for reflection, prayers and healing for the students who are currently gripped by panic," Kirabira said.
The association also responded to the government's indefinite suspension of school educational trips following the crash, saying the decision should not become a permanent restriction on learning activities outside classrooms.
NPEIA representative Dr Sarah Nkonge said educational excursions are an important component of learning and help learners gain practical experiences beyond classroom lessons.
"Education is not confined to the four walls of a classroom. If such bans become permanent, the quality and breadth of our children's education will suffer significantly," she said.
However, the association criticised what it described as a reactive approach to road safety, arguing that the government should focus on enforcing traffic laws and regulating commercial transport operators.
Kirabira said many schools do not own buses but hire vehicles from private transport companies, making stronger oversight of drivers and passenger service providers necessary.
"Accidents happen daily on our roads that have nothing to do with schools. The government is pointing fingers at institutions, yet they have failed to manage the drivers and the vehicles that traverse our highways every single hour of the day," he said.
He called for strict enforcement of road safety standards, including proper licensing, vehicle inspection and monitoring of commercial drivers.
Meanwhile, road safety consultant Sam Bambaza called for renewed enforcement against dangerous driving practices, including drunk driving.
Bambaza urged government to revive "Kawunyemu" breathalyser operations, saying many fatal crashes are linked to motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.
"We have seen too much blood on our roads. This is the moment for the government to step up enforcement, crack down on intoxicated drivers and ensure that our roads are safe for everyone," he said.
The Kapchorwa tragedy comes amid renewed concerns over school transport safety following a series of crashes involving learners in Kapchorwa, Mukono and Bugweri districts.
The concerns intensified after another accident on Friday evening involving a coaster carrying Nalango students that collided with a sugarcane truck near Busota Health Centre III in Kamuli District, leaving several students injured, some critically.
Emergency teams evacuated the injured to nearby health facilities, where they continue to receive treatment. Authorities had not confirmed the number of casualties by press time.
Following the accidents, government suspended all school study tours indefinitely and directed schools already on educational trips to report to the nearest police station for guidance and accountability before proceeding.
The Ministries of Education and Sports, Works and Transport, together with Uganda Police Force, are reviewing enforcement measures governing school transport as investigations into the Kapchorwa and Kamuli crashes continue.
