South Sudanese community grieves student lost in Nwoya bus crash
The late Margaret Poni Scopas, a Senior Six student at St Mary’s Ediofe Girls’ SS, was remembered not just as a victim, but as a multi-talented daughter of two nations.
The late Margaret Poni Scopas, a Senior Six student at St Mary’s Ediofe Girls’ SS, was remembered not just as a victim, but as a multi-talented daughter of two nations. (Courtesy photo)
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Grief filled St Thomas Church of Uganda, Abiriambati, as hundreds gathered in Arua city to bid farewell to a young life cut short in the Nile Star bus tragedy.
The late Margaret Poni Scopas, a Senior Six student at St Mary’s Ediofe Girls’ SS, was remembered not just as a victim, but as a multi-talented daughter of two nations.
The hymns rose slowly, heavy with sorrow, inside St Thomas Church. Row after row, mourners stood shoulder to shoulder.
Poni Scopas was one of the people who lost their lives when a Nile Star bus overturned in Nwoya district while travelling from Arua to Kampala.
Born to Rev. Scopas Bullen Ladu of Lanya County and Loyce Tabu Minale of Yei River County, both from Central Equatoria State in South Sudan, Poni carried two homelands in her story.
On Monday, May 11, 2026, that story was told through tears and tributes. Family members described her as humorous, loving and multi-talented, a young woman who lit up every room she entered.
From her first classroom to the halls of St Mary’s Ediofe Girls’ SS, teachers and peers said Poni’s promise was undeniable. She balanced academics, leadership and creativity with ease.
The head teacher, Sister Josephine Aciro, fought back emotion as she thanked the community for standing with the school and the family throughout the burial arrangements.
Quoting the Gospel of Matthew, the presiding pastor turned the moment of loss into a call for reflection, urging mourners to live prepared lives, forgive one another and build a more peaceful world.
The church overflowed with mourners. Friends and strangers alike comforted one another as they bid farewell to Poni.
She was later laid to rest at Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Terego district.