In a devastating cascade of grief that has shocked the nation, a parent who lost three children in Thursday’s horrific bus crash involving pupils from King David Junior School Ndejje has died, reportedly from a heart attack induced by overwhelming sorrow.
The incident, which claimed at least 21 lives mostly young schoolchildren has turned a routine educational tour into one of Uganda’s worst road tragedies in recent memory.
The school bus, registration number UA 108BQ, was ferrying learners back to Kampala after an educational tour to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa District when it crashed around 8 p.m. on Thursday.
According to official accounts, the vehicle developed mechanical problems, leading to the fatal incident near Chekwatit Village in Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county (also referenced in some reports as Kaserem).
Kapchorwa Resident District Commissioner Bayole Stanley confirmed 21 deaths: 20 pupils and one adult. Earlier unverified reports on social media and preliminary accounts suggested the toll could be as high as 23. Several other pupils and crew members sustained injuries and were treated at Kapchorwa General Hospital.
Sources close to the affected families describe the additional tragedy of one parent whose identity is being withheld pending family confirmation and official notifications who lost three children in the crash. Overcome by the news, the parent collapsed and died shortly afterward, believed to be from cardiac arrest triggered by acute emotional distress.
This layered loss has amplified the national mourning. Relatives and community leaders spoke of entire families torn apart in an instant. “These were innocent children excited about their trip, full of life and promise. Now parents are burying not just dreams, but multiple children at once,” one local leader told reporters.
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