A school bus carrying students from Lubiri High School was rescued by local residents and police after losing braking ability while descending Mengo Hill Road in Kampala, Uganda, on October 3. The bus was transporting students to an educational expo at the UMA Show Grounds in Lugogo when the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene at around 9 am, with the conductor reportedly jumping out of the still-moving vehicle and attempting to wedge objects beneath the wheels to slow it down.
Community members played a significant role in containing the situation before police arrived. Hassan Katula, a resident who witnessed the incident, noticed the conductor's desperate attempts to halt the bus and alerted others in the area. Biliba Mbazila Hamid, who was also present, noted that residents had inspected the vehicle and found its tyres to be in an advanced state of wear. He urged communities to remain watchful and respond to dangerous situations rather than waiting for authorities to intervene.
The students were subsequently moved to a nearby mosque while police arranged an alternative bus to transport them back to Lubiri High School under the company of the police. No injuries or fatalities were recorded in the incident. Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that three individuals, the driver, the conductor, and a school patron, were arrested and are being held at Old Kampala Police Station.
Authorities established several serious violations linked to the bus. The vehicle was carrying 72 occupants, five more than its licensed capacity of 67. Its PSV licence had lapsed nearly a year before the incident, and the tyres were found to be severely worn. The bus was also operating without the required trip documents. The bus was impounded and towed to Old Kampala Police Station.
In a separate incident, 17 people were killed when a lorry, reportedly suffering from a brake failure, struck five vehicles, including a 14-seater matatu carrying pilgrims, in the Salama area, Makueni county. A list of 15 pilgrims and a driver of the ill-fated matatu emerged, sparking messages of condolence from across the country.
The government also expressed its sympathies and directed NTSA to launch investigations into the cause of the horrific crash. This incident comes as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for regular vehicle maintenance. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of school buses and the need for stricter regulations.
The incident was reported by Nancy Odindo, a current affairs writer at Tuko.co.ke, who has one year's experience in print and more than five years' experience in digital media. The article was published on October 4, 2026, at 10:07 AM.
Key points
- Three people, including the bus driver and conductor, were arrested and detained at Old Kampala Police Station.
- The bus had several serious violations, including an expired PSV license, severely worn tyres, and overcapacity.
- In a separate incident, 17 people were killed in a multiple-vehicle crash in the Salama area, Makueni county.
