Equity Bank Uganda has handed over a new 67-seater Isuzu school bus to Busoga High School in Kamuli, providing the school with safer and more reliable transport for its learners.
The 2025-model bus was acquired through Equity Bank Uganda’s asset financing facility and is fitted with surveillance cameras to improve monitoring, accountability and safety during school journeys.
The handover comes amid growing concerns about the safety of schoolchildren travelling on Uganda’s roads. Several fatal crashes involving school vehicles in recent weeks have raised alarm and prompted the Ministry of Education and Sports to suspend school tours and trips as investigations into the incidents continue.
At the handover ceremony, the Chairperson of the School Board urged the bus driver to prioritise the safety of learners and maintain the highest standards of discipline and professionalism.
“A school bus carries the future of this nation. Drive carefully, obey traffic regulations and always remember that parents are entrusting you with their children,” he said.
The school also invited a priest to pray for and bless the new bus and its driver, seeking protection for learners and staff during their journeys.
The Kamuli Municipal Education Officer, who was the Guest of Honour, praised Equity Bank for supporting the education sector through initiatives beyond traditional banking services.
He said providing schools with modern and properly equipped buses could help address some of the risks faced by learners who walk long distances or use public transport to travel to and from school.
“The safety of our children on the road has been a major concern, especially with learners walking long distances along busy roads or relying on unregulated public transport. Having a dedicated school bus drastically reduces those road safety risks and gives parents peace of mind,” he said.
He urged schools to prioritise road safety by acquiring roadworthy vehicles, conducting regular maintenance, employing responsible drivers and ensuring strict compliance with traffic regulations.
Equity Bank Uganda representatives said the bank remains committed to helping schools improve their infrastructure and operations through flexible financing options.
Mwanje Tom, the bank’s Jinja Branch Manager, said the financial institution provides schools with a range of services, including asset financing for vehicles and equipment, development financing for projects such as dormitories, science laboratories and classrooms, as well as bridge financing to help institutions manage short-term cash flow needs.
He said reliable and modern transport is important to schools not only for academic and co-curricular activities but also for protecting learners and staff.
The new bus is expected to increase Busoga High School’s transport capacity while giving parents greater confidence in the safety of their children during school-related journeys.
The handover comes as schools face increased pressure to strengthen transport safety. Stakeholders at the event said protecting learners on the road requires joint efforts from schools, parents, drivers, financial institutions and government agencies.
Students, teachers and parents welcomed the new bus, describing it as an important investment in the school’s transport system and a timely step towards safer travel for learners.