60 students of Ngoma SS Budaka injured in truck accident
by URN · The ObserverAt least 60 students from Ngoma Secondary School in Budaka district were injured after the truck they were travelling in suffered brake failure and overturned on Sunday evening.
The accident occurred at Nabweyo village in Budaka town council, along the Mbale-Tirinyi Highway, as the students were returning from a handover ceremony in Kachomo Town Council.
Samuel Semewo, Bukedi North region police spokesperson, confirmed that the Isuzu Elf truck, registration number, UAS 317S was loaded with over 70 students at the time of the accident. Police have accused the school's headteacher, Fred Mayanja, of recklessness for endangering the students by using a vehicle in poor mechanical condition.
Seven students were critically injured and were rushed to Mbale Referral Hospital, while others are receiving treatment at Budaka health centre IV. The driver fled the scene after the incident. The truck has been towed to Budaka Police for further inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles (IOV).