What happened at Kirewa in Tororo today?
Tororo, Uganda – Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Tragedy struck in Tororo District today after an overloaded school truck carrying students from Kirewa Senior Secondary School overturned near Nagongera Town Council, leaving more than 40 students injured.
The students, all in Senior One to Senior Three, were en route to Mahanga Senior Secondary School to participate in a joint patriotism pass-out ceremony for West Budama North and North East constituencies. The event was expected to host over 1,000 students.
How did Kirewa Senior Secondary students get into the accident?
According to eyewitnesses, the students were traveling in an Isuzu truck, registration number UBF 785R, which failed to navigate a sharp bend along the Nagongera-Busolwe road. The truck lost control and veered into a large ditch, throwing its occupants into chaos.
Peter Okello, one of the survivors, described the terrifying ordeal:
“We were inside the truck, over 120 of us. When we reached a sharp bend, the driver failed to control the vehicle and we fell into a huge hole.”
Who was injured in the Kirewa Senior Secondary accident?
Several students sustained serious injuries to the head, back, and limbs. Named among the injured are Grace Ayo, Teteza Awino, Mary Athieno, Jane Akoth, Evelyn Achieng, Prossy Akoth, Christine Nyadoi, Jane Apio, Mercy Apoya, Simon Peter Okumu, Brian Geno Were, John Paul Oketch, Lawrence Ochieng, and Chris Okello.
At Tororo Hospital, chaos unfolded as ambulances, including one donated by the Machika Foundation, ferried the wounded from Nagongera Health Centre IV for further treatment. Many of the students were in visible agony, requiring urgent medical attention including X-rays — yet the hospital’s X-ray machine was reportedly out of service.
Richard Machika, director of the Machika Foundation, intervened to pay for the X-ray services at a private facility nearby.
“This is what I will fight for when I join Parliament,” Machika said. “How can a whole hospital not have a functioning X-ray? And how can a big government school still use trucks to ferry students? This must change.”
Students expressed frustration over the circumstances leading to the accident. Tereza Achar, a Senior Three student, said her warnings were ignored:
“I was refusing to board the truck since it was full, but teachers insisted. They didn’t listen to us.”
What have leaders said about the Kirewa accident?
The accident has sparked outrage among district leaders. Tororo District Chairperson John Okea condemned the school’s method of transportation and pledged to take action:
“Trucks are not allowed to carry students. Learners are not sand or bricks. We must eliminate this practice from our district.”
District Traffic Officer Aisati Nandutu confirmed the incident and revealed that investigations are underway.
“If the school administration is found to have violated transport safety regulations, they will face legal consequences,” she warned.
This is not the first such incident in the region. With growing concerns over student safety and enforcement of school transport policies, authorities are under renewed pressure to introduce stricter measures and ensure compliance.
