Bus driver 'ignored stop signs' at train level crossing before fatal crash
“At the time of the accident, the level crossing was manned by a railway police officer, and the bus was waved to stop. The drive disregarded the instructions. Unfortunately, injuries were registered from the occupants of the bus, and one fatality, which is regrettable,” said URC.
The bus was en route from the school in Kakiri to Jinja district for an educational trip. Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) said the bus was travelling at a high speed and failed to stop in time for the train.
MUKONO - The driver of a bus transporting Mwebaze High School students that was hit by a train on Friday morning (July 10) reportedly ignored efforts by a railway officer to stop.
The bus was en route from the school in Kakiri to Jinja district for an educational trip.
Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) said the bus was travelling at a high speed and failed to stop in time for the train.
“At the time of the accident, the level crossing was manned by a railway police officer, and the bus was waved to stop. The drive disregarded the instructions. Unfortunately, injuries were registered from the occupants of the bus, and one fatality, which is regrettable,” said URC.
Video footage released by Police show a police officer crossing the road and waving at the vehicles to stop. The bus can be seen moving at a high speed as it attempts to cross the railway line seconds before the fatal crash.
The deceased was a female teacher. Injured students were rushed to nearby clinics and hospitals.
Allan Ssempebwa, the senior communications officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, said the incident is currently being investigated by the URC and the Uganda Police Force.
Video footage released by Police show a police officer crossing the road and waving at the vehicles to stop. The bus can be seen moving at a high speed as it attempts to cross the railway line seconds before the fatal crash.
“The ministry reminds all road users to exercise extreme caution when approaching railway level crossings. Always obey traffic signs and signals, slow down, remain alert, and avoid distractions to be able to identify approaching trains before crossing the railway line,” said Ssempebwa.
In an update on the crash, Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) said the driver of the ill-fated bus fled the scene and that the hunt is on.
Racheal Kawala, the KMP spokesperson, said the crash happened at a few minutes to 7am in Namumira village, Mukono district.
“Police have established that the crash involved a Friendship Coach bus, registration number UAU 123Q (blue in colour), and a URC train,” she said.
“At the time of the accident, it is alleged the bus was carrying approximately 100 passengers. Findings further indicate that the bus was travelling at a high speed and allegedly failed to stop at the designated railway crossing as required by traffic regulations before attempting to cross the railway line.
"It is alleged that the bus entered the crossing, collided with the oncoming train, and subsequently veered off the road."
Kawala said the deceased, identified as the wife of the school's head teacher, died at the scene.
“Several other occupants sustained injuries and were evacuated to Mukono General Referral Hospital and other nearby health facilities for treatment. The bus driver fled the scene and is currently on the run. Efforts to identify and apprehend the driver are ongoing,” she said.
She also said police were working to establish the identities of all the victims and to determine the full circumstances surrounding the accident.
In 2025, a total number of 26,044 road traffic crashes were reported compared to 25,107 crashes recorded the previous year, representing an increase of 3.7 percent.
Of the 26,044 crashes, 4,602 were fatal while 13,563 were serious and 7,879 minor.