Teacher killed as school bus rams into train in Mukono
Racheal Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson, said the fatal accident occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m., and it involved a train that was ferrying passengers in Kampala and a bus.
Uganda Railways spokesperson John Sengendo confirmed the incident, saying one adult died in the crash. (Courtesy photo)
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A female passenger travelling in a bus transporting students of Mwebaze High School, Kakiri, travelling to Jinja District for an educational trip on Friday died after the bus crashed into a train at Namumira–Bukasa Village, Kyetume Parish, Nakisunga Sub-County, along the Katosi Road in Mukono District.
Racheal Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson, said the fatal accident occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m., and it involved a train that was ferrying passengers in Kampala and a bus.
“One female passenger died at the scene, while several students sustained injuries. Police officers, working alongside other emergency responders, evacuated the injured to Mukono General Referral Hospital and other nearby health facilities for medical treatment,” Kawala said.
She said police had secured the scene and commenced investigations to establish the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the crash.
“We have been informed about the accident, but our teams and that of the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) are heading to the scene of the accident to commence investigations,” Ssempebwa said.
Uganda Railways spokesperson John Sengendo confirmed the incident, saying one adult died in the crash.
He faulted the school bus driver and said the preliminary findings indicate that the bus driver failed to comply with traffic instructions at the railway crossing.
"The accident involved our daily commuter passenger train that was coming from Mukono. As per the safety guidelines, at 6:30 a.m. the lights of the locomotive train were on, and the hoot was on from Mukono, and it was heard by the residents. At the time of the accident, we had security manning the level crossing, and one of the security personnel tried to stop the bus, but the driver ignored him and unfortunately, hit the train and overturned,” Ssengendo said.
He revealed that URC had realised people coming from Mukono to Katosi were overspeeding. “We shall engage the Ministry of Works to guide on whether they should put humps on either side so that any driver is forced to slow down,” he said.
Ssengendo said trains always have the priority over cars and pedestrians at the level crossing and by law, one is required to stop at least 15 feet away from flashing lights, lowered gates, or stop signs at any railroad crossing.
He revealed that URC had embarked on plans to install automated level crossings in Nsambya, Mukwano road, Kireka, Bweyogerere and Mukono. He said they would also install sound and traffic lights near railway level crossings.
Ssengendo said the train locomotive was damaged but that the train later resumed its journey to Kampala after emergency operations at the scene.