A distressing incident unfolded at Atoot bridge in Ngora district, a involving Palisa Girls’ Primary School. A group of seventy students and thirteen teachers had a harrowing experience when the bus they were aboard, a Kakise Bus, caught fire during their return journey from a music festival in Serere district.
This unfortunate event occurred at approximately 1:00 am on Wednesday, as the bus was traversing Atoot Swamp on Mukongoro Road.
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The bus’s rear tire burst, causing it to crash and subsequently burst into flames.
Fortunately, all occupants of the bus managed to escape unharmed, although their personal belongings, including bedding, musical costumes, instruments, and uniforms, were reduced to ashes in the fire.
According to Oscar Ageca, the spokesperson for Kyoga East Police region, preliminary investigations indicate that the pupils and teachers from Palisa were lucky to survive.
However, they were left in a state of shock, compelling them to seek refuge in a nearby church for the night.
Despite the bus company arranging a replacement bus, the trauma experienced by the students and teachers was so profound that they couldn’t proceed with their journey.
Jessica Ojangole, the inspector of schools in Palisa, shed light on the aftermath of the incident. She revealed that extensive property damage, amounting to millions, was incurred due to the fire.
Ojangole expressed her intention to seek compensation from the bus company for the losses sustained.
As of the present time, the police are engaged in the process of gathering statements from both the teachers and the learners who were on board during the incident.
Ojangole, in sharing her account, explained how the bus became engulfed in flames.
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