Seventy pupils and 13 teachers of Pallisa Girls' Primary School have survived being burnt after the bus they were traveling in caught fire at Atoot bridge in Ngora district.

The girls, who were returning from a music festival in the Serere district aboard the Kakise Bus, survived crashing and burning into ashes when the bus' rare tire burst before catching fire.

Police say the incident occurred at about 1:00 am on Wednesday at Atoot Swamp on Mukongoro Road.

Kyoga East Police region spokesman Oscar Ageca said all occupants survived. However, their beddings, musical costumes, and musical instruments plus uniforms were burnt to ashes.

Pallisa inspector of schools Jessica Ojangole said after the fire, the pupils and the teachers slept in a nearby church.

She noted that though Kakise brought in another bus, the learners and the teachers were in shock and could not manage to proceed, prompting them to sleep in a church.

Ojangole said that property worth millions was lost in which she was asking for compensation from the bus company.

By this morning Police were still recording statements from the teachers and the learners. 

Ojangole shared with us how the bus caught fire.