By Our Reporter
More than 30 Kenyan nationals are receiving treatment at Tororo General Hospital following a dramatic road accident involving a school bus that overturned near the Uganda–Kenya border on Wednesday morning, June 4.
The crash happened at UCI Cell in Osukuru Town Council, just a few kilometres from the border, along the busy and often perilous Malaba–Jinja highway. The vehicle involved was a Kasima Mixed Secondary School bus—registration number KCQ05Q—from Nyahururu County, Kenya, carrying 51 passengers returning from Uganda’s Namugongo Martyrs Day celebrations.
According to eyewitnesses, the peaceful pilgrimage turned into a nightmare when the bus was struck by a speeding, unidentified truck. In a desperate attempt to avoid collision, the bus veered off the road and overturned, leaving a trail of chaos and injuries.
“It was terrifying,” recounted Evelyn Kisakye, an eyewitness. “The truck was flying down the road. When the bus tried to give way, it lost control and just rolled.”
Bus driver Charles Theuri, who sustained minor injuries, described the harrowing moment: “We had just left Namugongo at around 4:00 a.m. and were almost at the border. I was driving slowly, but the truck came out of nowhere—fast and reckless. It struck us and disappeared into the night.”
The impact of the crash was severe. At least 35 passengers were rushed to Tororo General Hospital, many with serious injuries. Hospital staff have since confirmed that some victims remain in critical condition.
Authorities in Tororo have launched a full investigation. District Traffic Officer Aisat Nandutu confirmed that efforts are underway to trace the runaway truck and determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.
“This was a serious accident with cross-border implications. We are doing everything possible to ensure justice and safety for all involved,” she said.
The incident has reignited concerns about road safety on the Malaba–Jinja highway—a crucial transit route plagued by reckless driving and inadequate enforcement.
As families in Kenya wait anxiously for updates, Ugandan authorities are calling for tighter controls and increased surveillance on regional roads to prevent such tragedies in the future.