Kampala, Uganda | July 17, 2026 — Two school bus drivers have been arrested after police intercepted buses transporting pupils from St. Kizito Primary School while allegedly carrying passengers far beyond their legal capacity.
The operation was conducted on Friday at the Golf Course area in Kampala as traffic officers intensified enforcement against unsafe school transport.
Police identified the suspects as Kimbugwe Alia, the driver of bus registration UA 092AS, and Mutesasira Abubakari, who was driving UAN 619X.
According to police, Kimbugwe’s bus was carrying 110 pupils, while Mutesasira’s vehicle had 97 pupils at the time of the operation.
The two drivers were arrested and later detained at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) on traffic-related charges. They are expected to appear before court.
Police said they have engaged the management of St. Kizito Primary School to ensure the pupils are transported safely using suitable vehicles before continuing with their educational trip.
The arrests come as authorities step up enforcement following the recent fatal school bus crash in Kapchorwa involving pupils from King David Junior School, Ndejje, which left more than 20 people dead.
The tragedy prompted Acting Education Minister Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo to suspend all school trips and educational excursions pending a review of safety measures.
Police and officials from the education and transport sectors are now working on revised safety guidelines expected to tighten standards for school transport.
The proposed measures are expected to cover passenger limits, vehicle inspections, driver qualifications and compliance checks before schools are allowed to undertake educational trips.
Road safety advocates have long warned that overcrowding, poor vehicle maintenance and weak enforcement continue to expose learners to unnecessary danger.
Friday’s arrests signal renewed efforts by authorities to hold transport operators accountable as government reviews the future of school excursions.
