By Sulaiman Kauki
KAMPALA.The Ministry of Education and Sports has directed all schools with learners currently on study tours across the country to immediately report to the nearest police station for guidance and support .
The move, according to government aims at tightening safety measures following the fatal school bus crash which claimed lives of 21 pupils and five teachers of King David Junior School in Makindye -Sabagabo Division,Wakiso District.
The directive was announced on Friday by the Acting Minister of Education and Sports, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, during an inter-ministerial briefing.
This makes the crash one of the deadliest school transport accidents in recent years.
Dr. Muyingo said the Uganda Police Force has been tasked with coordinating the safe return of all learners currently away on school trips.
“Schools that are already on an ongoing study trip or tour are instructed to stop at the nearest police station for further guidance and assistance on how to return safely to their respective schools,” he said.
As an immediate measure, the ministry has suspended all study tours requiring learners to travel by road, both within Uganda and across borders, until further notice.
The decision is part of emergency interventions aimed at preventing a repeat of the Kapchorwa tragedy.
Dr Muyingo said the Ministry of Education had already issued comprehensive safety guidelines for school trips through a circular dated May 16, 2025.
The guidelines require schools to obtain approval from governing bodies before undertaking trips, assess the educational value and safety of each excursion, ensure vehicles are mechanically sound, carry only licensed passenger capacity, notify the Uganda Police Force before departure and conduct journeys only between 6am and 6pm.
The guidelines also prohibit nursery and kindergarten learners from participating in school trips.
According to Muyingo, the circular was distributed to heads of educational institutions, Kampala Capital City Authority, local governments, district and city education officers, boards of governors and school management committees, all of whom are expected to enforce the measures.
However, he acknowledged that despite the existing guidelines, the Kapchorwa crash had exposed gaps in enforcement and the need for additional safeguards.
To address these challenges, Muyingo said the Ministry of Education and Sports will, within seven days, constitute an inter-ministerial task force to develop comprehensive regulations governing study tours and educational trips.
“The safety and well-being of learners remains a top priority of the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Government of Uganda,” he said.