The recent road accidents involving schoolchildren in Uganda have triggered renewed calls for urgent reforms, with Captain Mike Mukula urging Parliament to act decisively to prevent further loss of life.
Mukula’s statement follows two separate incidents, including a devastating crash in Kapchorwa District where a school bus carrying pupils from King David Junior School overturned while returning from an educational trip.
At least 20 children and one adult lost their lives, while dozens sustained injuries.
In a separate earlier incident along the Mubende–Kampala road, another vehicle transporting pupils was involved in a crash that left at least two dead and several others injured.
Reacting to the tragedies, Mukula described the deaths as a painful wake-up call, emphasizing the need to transform grief into concrete policy action.
“In every dark cloud there is a silver lining,” he said. “The heartbreaking loss of our beloved children must become a turning point for Uganda.”
He called for the urgent strengthening of road traffic safety laws, particularly those governing school transport.
“Parliament should urgently strengthen our road traffic safety laws to better protect schoolchildren,” Mukula stated.
Among the key proposals, Mukula urged authorities to introduce mandatory safety inspections for all school buses at least twice a year, alongside the issuance of valid safety certificates.
“Every school bus should undergo mandatory safety inspections twice a year and carry a valid safety certificate,” he said.
He also recommended that schools only procure buses not older than five years, noting that newer vehicles are generally safer.
To enhance visibility and regulation, Mukula proposed that all school buses adopt a single, distinctive national colour for easy identification.
“All school buses should have one distinctive national colour for instant identification, as practiced in countries such as the United States, Japan, and China,” he added.
He further stressed the need for specialized training and strict vetting of drivers. “School bus drivers should receive specialized training, rigorous testing by Police Traffic, and hold a dedicated school bus licence,” Mukula said.
The Kapchorwa crash has already prompted government action, with authorities suspending school trips nationwide as investigations continue.
Mukula insisted that swift reforms are necessary.
“Let us act now, learn these painful lessons, and ensure no family endures such preventable tragedy again,” he urged.