Police nab two school bus drivers for overloading pupils

Two school bus drivers have been arrested after police allegedly found them transporting pupils in overloaded buses during a traffic enforcement operation in Kampala.

The drivers, identified as Kimbugwe Alia and Mutesasira Abubakari, were intercepted at the Golf Course traffic checkpoint while ferrying pupils from St. Kizito Primary School, who were travelling for an educational tour.

According to police, Kimbugwe, the driver of bus registration UA 092AS, was carrying 110 pupils, while Mutesasira, who was driving UAN 619X, had 97 pupils on board.

Police described the overloading as a serious risk to the safety of the children and said both drivers were immediately arrested.

They are currently being held at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) and are expected to face traffic-related charges in court.

Authorities said arrangements were being made with the school’s management to secure alternative transport for the pupils to enable them to continue their journey safely.

The arrests come as police intensify inspections of school transport following the recent fatal bus crash in Kapchorwa, which involved pupils from King David Junior School, Ndejje and claimed more than 20 lives.

The tragedy prompted Acting Education Minister Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo to suspend all school trips and educational excursions pending a nationwide review of safety standards.

Police say the review is expected to result in stricter guidelines governing school transport, including adherence to passenger capacity, regular vehicle inspections, and stronger oversight of operators contracted by schools.

Friday’s operation signals a tougher enforcement approach by authorities, who say safeguarding pupils on Uganda’s roads remains a priority as investigations into recent school transport accidents continue.