More than 70 students from Lubiri High School in Mengo narrowly escaped a potentially fatal crash on Saturday morning after their school bus suffered a mechanical failure while descending Mengo Hill Road.
The students were travelling to the UMA Show Grounds in Lugogo for an educational expo when the bus, registration number UAQ 079W, reportedly failed to stop while descending from Mengo towards the roundabout near Cornerstone Plaza.
Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that three people—the bus driver, conductor and a school patron—were arrested and detained at Old Kampala Police Station as investigations continue.
Police commended members of the public for their vigilance after they noticed the bus conductor attempting to slow down the moving vehicle by placing objects in its path.
Mr Owoyesigyire confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Preliminary police investigations revealed several safety violations. According to police, the bus was carrying 72 occupants, exceeding its licensed capacity of 67 passengers.
Officers also discovered that the vehicle’s Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence had expired nearly a year earlier, while its tyres were severely worn.
Police further noted that Lubiri High School did not have the required clearance letter from the Ministry of Education and Sports for the student excursion, nor a vehicle inspection certificate from the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Aisati Nandutu, the Officer in Charge of Traffic at Old Kampala, was among the first responders at the scene.
Police secured a breakdown tow truck to remove the impounded bus and transport it to Old Kampala Police Station.
Following the incident, the students were temporarily sheltered at a nearby mosque before police arranged an alternative bus to safely transport them back to Lubiri High School under police escort.
Thanking God for protecting our children and teachers