KAMPALA, Uganda — Parliament has directed the Committee on Physical Infrastructure to investigate last Friday’s fatal school bus-train collision in Mukono District, after concerns were raised over railway crossing safety and the prevention of similar accidents.
The directive was issued by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during Tuesday’s plenary sitting following a statement by Hon. Robert Maseruka, the National Unity Platform (NUP) MP for Mukono County South, who called for urgent measures to improve safety at railway crossings across the country.
The accident happened on July 10 at about 6:45am at the Namumira–Bukasa railway level crossing along Katosi Road in Nakisunga Sub-County, Mukono District, when a bus carrying students and teachers from Mwebaza High School collided with a Uganda Railways passenger train.
The group was travelling to Jinja for an educational trip when the crash occurred. The bus, which was carrying more than 70 learners and staff, reportedly entered the railway crossing despite warnings and attempts by security personnel to stop the driver.
One female passenger, identified as a teacher or a relative accompanying the school head teacher, died at the scene, while several students and other passengers sustained injuries and were taken for medical attention.
Calls for stronger railway safety measures
During the parliamentary sitting, Maseruka called for tougher enforcement against motorists who disregard railway crossing regulations, arguing that preventable accidents continue to expose weaknesses in Uganda’s transport safety systems.
He urged government to consider installing modern warning systems, strengthening physical barriers at railway crossings, conducting nationwide safety audits, and increasing public awareness about railway safety.
“Safety is a shared responsibility,” Maseruka said, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts between railway authorities, traffic police, local leaders and road users.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa agreed that the current approach of relying mainly on traffic officers to manage crossings was not enough to prevent accidents.
“When the train is crossing, we should block the roads,” Tayebwa said while directing the committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the Mukono crash and recommend measures to avoid similar incidents.
Government response
The Second Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Crispus Kiyonga, told Parliament that government had already discussed the matter and was taking steps to address concerns arising from the accident.
The parliamentary investigation will examine issues including the condition of railway crossings, compliance with safety procedures, driver conduct, and possible gaps in enforcement.
The crash has renewed public debate on the safety of school trips, the protection of learners during travel, and the need for better coordination between road and railway authorities.
Police investigations into the accident are ongoing as families of the victims and the affected school community wait for further findings.
