Teacher Killed, Several Students Injured After Train Rams into School Bus During Academic Trip

A school trip in Uganda ended in tragedy on Friday morning after a passenger train collided with a bus carrying more than 70 students, leaving one teacher dead and several learners injured.

The fatal accident occurred at approximately 6 a.m. at the Namumira railway crossing in Mukono Municipality as students from Mwebaza High School were travelling to Jinja for an academic excursion.

The bus, operated by Friendship Company, was attempting to cross the railway line when it was struck by an oncoming passenger train travelling from Mukono toward Kampala.

The force of the impact caused the bus to overturn, trapping several occupants inside and prompting a swift emergency response from local residents, police officers, and medical personnel. 

The injured students were rescued from the wreckage and rushed to nearby health facilities, including Mukono General Hospital, where they received treatment.

Uganda Railways spokesperson John Lenon Sengendo confirmed that one adult, identified as a teacher accompanying the students, lost their life in the crash.

He said preliminary findings indicate that the bus driver failed to obey safety instructions before attempting to cross the railway line.