Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A tragic accident has occurred in Kyankwanzi District, claiming the life of a 16-year-old student and leaving over 100 others injured. The incident took place at Kasooro Village, Kikandwa Sub County, where a lorry carrying 200 students overturned, resulting in a devastating outcome.
The victim, identified as James Murarira, was among the students from St Paul Kasooro Secondary School who were on their way to participate in a post-primary school football contest at Butemba College. The driver of the Fuso truck, Registration Number UBK900A, reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. The survivors, including Justus Kakiga Nayisindi, recounted the terrifying experience of the truck speeding before the crash.
Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson, Ms Racheal Kawala, confirmed that the traffic team in Kyankwanzi is investigating the details of the accident. The driver of the truck, Samuel Mitala, fled the scene after the crash, leaving the injured students in need of medical assistance.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of transporting students in lorries and open trucks, a practice that was banned by the government in 2000. The Ministry of Education emphasized the importance of using buses or vans to transport school children, with strict guidelines in place to ensure their safety. Despite these regulations, some school heads continue to defy the ban, putting the lives of students at risk.
The ban on transporting school children in trucks was implemented following previous fatal accidents, such as the ones involving students of St. Henry’s High School in Kinoni, Lwengo District. These incidents highlight the need for strict enforcement of safety measures to prevent further tragedies on the roads.
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