KAMPALA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has suspended all school trips and excursions with immediate effect following a deadly school bus crash in the eastern part of the country that killed at least 20 students and injured dozens more, a senior official said Friday.
John Chrysostom Muyingo, Uganda's minister of education and sports, told reporters that the suspension is a precautionary measure as the government reviews and strengthens regulations governing school trips and excursions.
"The temporary suspension will remain in force while the ministry conducts a comprehensive review of the existing school trip and excursion guidelines and puts in place strengthened safety measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of our learners," Muyingo said.
The decision came after a school bus crashed Thursday night, killing 21 people, including 20 students and one adult. Police said the bus reportedly lost control, veered off the road, struck a large roadside rock, and overturned. Dozens of other students were injured and remain hospitalized.
The latest tragedy follows two other school bus accidents in recent days that left a bus driver and a teacher dead and several students injured. ■