Liberty Motors Director Charged Over Deadly King David Junior School Bus Crash

The Director of Liberty Motors Uganda Limited, Muhangi Shadaya, has been charged in connection with the fatal King David Junior School bus crash, with police alleging that the driver was operating the vehicle using his brother’s driving licence.
Shadaya was arrested and appeared before the Kapchorwa Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he faces three charges under the Traffic and Road Safety Act, Cap. 347.

According to Sipi Region Police Spokesperson SP Fredmark Chesang, the charges include permitting a person without a valid driving permit to drive, allowing the use of a passenger vehicle without the required licence, and permitting a mechanically defective motor vehicle to be used on the road.
Police allege that the driver did not possess a valid driving permit and was instead using his brother’s licence at the time of the crash.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Martin Wakayembe on Monday, Shadaya denied all the charges and was remanded until August 13, 2026.
Speaking after the court session, Kapchorwa Resident District Commissioner Stanley Bayole commended the police, particularly the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Traffic Investigations and his team, for handling the case.

Bayole also revealed that police had arrested officers who were deployed at traffic checkpoints along the route over alleged negligence of duty. He added that the case file had been sanctioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and is awaiting prosecution.

The RDC praised the people of Kapchorwa for the humanitarian assistance they offered to the victims and their families following the tragedy.

He urged motorists travelling through the Sebei sub-region to strictly observe traffic regulations, noting that the area’s mountainous terrain requires experienced drivers and greater attention to road safety.

The accident involving learners of King David Junior School claimed 24 lives, making it one of the deadliest school transport tragedies in Uganda in recent years.