By Joseph Mary Buwule
MUKONO.The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has announced a series of safety interventions at railway level crossings following Friday’s fatal collision between a passenger train and a school bus in Mukono District.
The crash claimed the life of a teacher and left dozens of students injured.This is what has prompted the Ministry of Works and Transport to push for a nationwide review of railway and road safety measures.
The corporation said procurement of safety infrastructure for high-risk level crossings is already at an advanced stage as part of efforts to reduce accidents along the railway network.
In a statement issued on Friday evening, URC said automated barrier systems will be installed at railway level crossings in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono.
The barriers will include boom gates, warning lights and audible alarms that will automatically close whenever a train approaches.
Pending completion of the project, URC said additional manpower will be deployed at all level crossings as an immediate safety measure.
The corporation also said it is working with the Ministry of Works and Transport to improve road safety around railway crossings.
“Working with the Ministry of Works and Transport, humps will also be constructed on highway approaches to selected Level Crossings to reduce vehicle speed,” the statement reads.
The interventions were announced hours after Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama expressed concern over the increasing number of fatal crashes and directed his ministry to undertake a nationwide safety assessment.
In a post on X, Byamukama said he was deeply saddened by the Mukono crash, which occurred just days after another fatal accident at Bobi along the Kampala–Gulu Highway.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the minister said.
He blamed reckless driving, speeding and disregard for traffic rules for continuing to claim innocent lives, saying urgent action was needed to prevent further tragedies.
“I have directed the Ministry to work with Uganda Railways Corporation, Uganda Police and all relevant agencies to undertake a nationwide safety audit of railway crossings and high-risk roads, review school transport safety standards, strengthen enforcement, improve signage and warning systems, and intensify road safety awareness campaigns,” Byamukama said.
The crash occurred at about 6am when a passenger train travelling from Mukono to Kampala collided with a Friendship Company bus carrying more than 70 Mwebaza High School students and teachers at the Namumira railway crossing in Mukono Municipality.
The group was travelling to Jinja for a study trip when the accident happened, leaving one teacher dead and several students injured.
The critically injured students were taken to Mukono General Hospital for treatment.
Following the crash, URC spokesperson John Lenon Sengendo said preliminary findings indicated that the bus driver drove onto the railway crossing despite being signalled to stop by a police officer stationed nearby.
He said the train crew repeatedly sounded the horn as it approached the crossing, but the bus continued onto the railway line before it was hit.
Residents and eyewitnesses, however, blamed the accident on inadequate safety infrastructure at the crossing and poor visibility caused by trucks parked close to the railway line, saying the conditions have long exposed motorists to danger.
The latest interventions by URC and the Ministry of Works and Transport are expected to improve safety at some of the country’s busiest railway crossings and high-risk roads as authorities seek to prevent similar tragedies.