After the unfortunate accident that claimed the lives of two high school students on Thursday along Soroti-Mbale Road at Awoja in Soroti County, Soroti district, their school has suspended its programs to mourn them.

The two students, Peter Eringu and Susan Alwedo of Midland High School in Kaberamaido district died on the spot after the bus (reg no: UG1951E) they were travelling in crashed into a stationary trailer truck (reg no: UAQ 718). The bus belonged to Busitema University. 

They were among the other senior four students travelling to Jinja for a study trip.

The two students, Peter Eringu and Susan Alwedo of Midland High School in Kaberamaido district, died on the spot

School to support burial arrangements

John Bosco Ekou, the head teacher of the school said they had agreed to support the families of the students.

On Thursday afternoon, their bodies were taken to the school campus in Kaberamaido town for a prayer service. Students and the general public were allowed to pay their last respects before being taken to their respective homes on Friday.

The school management asked the general community to continue praying for the students still in the hospital.

Burial program

Ekou said the burial of Eringu will be on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Ameje village in Kaberamaido sub-county, while Susan Alwedo will be buried on Monday, October 2, 2023, in Alau village, Ochero sub-county, both in Kaberamaido district.

Relative speaks out

The paternal uncle to the Alwedo, Alfred Olum, said the family has had three other students at the same school.

“We shall not abandon the school despite the death. Two of our children are senior four students. One has died in this fatal crash, but thank God that the other one was seated in another vehicle,” Alum said.

A relative to one of the students speaks during the prayer service. (Photo by Michael Onyinge)

However, Olum requested the school management to instil the spirit of prayer in the school. “This is a Christian school. The founder of this school is an Anglican priest, and when he was strong, he used to organize prayers here frequently, get back to this system”, Olum said.

Leaders speak out

The LC5 of Kaberamaido, Victor Rex Ekesu, said the incident did not only affect the school but the whole district.

“This tragedy has affected even work at the district. We all want to see that the matter is handled well and the students are buried,” Ekesu said.

Meanwhile, the District Police Commander of Kaberamaido, David Otabong, called for calm. He said there should be peace when handling such a difficult situation.

The Member of Parliament of Ochero County, Julius Peter Emigu, said it was a sad moment when he received the news.

“It is only God who can comfort all of us. No one can say that we shall get used to death. Whenever it strikes, it takes different people and that is the pain we all have,” Emigu said.