More than 40 students from Kirewa Senior Secondary School are nursing injuries after a harrowing truck accident on their way to a patriotism event. The crash, which happened near Nagongera Town Council in Tororo District, has triggered public outrage over the reckless use of trucks for school transport.
The students, all between Senior One and Senior Three, were crammed into an overloaded Isuzu truck (registration number UBF 785R). The vehicle failed to navigate a sharp bend along the Nagongera–Busolwe road, toppling into a large roadside ditch.
Firsthand Accounts Paint a Grim Picture
“We were inside the truck, over 120 of us,” said Peter Okello, a survivor. “When we reached a sharp bend, the driver failed to control the vehicle, and we fell into a huge hole.”
The students were en route to Mahanga Senior Secondary School to attend a joint patriotism pass-out ceremony for West Budama North and North East constituencies, an event expected to host more than 1,000 learners.
Ignored Warnings, Avoidable Pain
Tereza Achar, a Senior Three student, says the accident could have been avoided.
“I was refusing to board the truck since it was full, but teachers insisted. They didn’t listen to us,” she recounted bitterly.
Injured students, including Grace Ayo, Teteza Awino, Mary Athieno, Jane Akoth, Evelyn Achieng, and several others, were rushed to Nagongera Health Centre IV before being referred to Tororo Hospital. However, care was delayed due to the hospital’s X-ray machine being out of service.
A Broken System Exposed
Private aid came swiftly from Richard Machika of the Machika Foundation, whose ambulance transported the injured. He also covered the cost of X-ray services at a private clinic.
“This is what I will fight for when I join Parliament,” Machika said. “How can a whole hospital lack a working X-ray machine? And why are students still being ferried like cargo?”
Leaders Demand Accountability
Tororo District Chairperson John Okea didn’t mince words:
“Trucks are not allowed to carry students. Learners are not sand or bricks. We must eliminate this practice from our district.”
District Traffic Officer Aisati Nandutu confirmed the accident and revealed that investigations are underway.
“If school officials are found culpable, they will face legal consequences,” she added.
This isn’t the first time such a tragedy has hit West Budama counties. With pressure mounting, authorities must now confront longstanding gaps in student transportation safety—before more lives are put at risk.
