GOMBA SCHOOL CRASH: Here are the Stories of the Victims?

Four students died in Tuesday accident at Kasaka Senior Secondary school in Kanoni Town Council, Gomba District.

The grisly accident occurred when a sinotruk truck rammed into a classroom block housing a computer laboratory and Senior Four West Stream classroom, leaving three students dead on spot and 20 critically injured.

It is reported, according to the school Authorities that the truck driver first hit the school gate before crashing into the block. 

The school's Deputy Headteacher in charge of  Academics, Mr. Cephas Katumba explains that although the accident happened after 2pm, students were still having lunch, something that played in their favor.

"Students returned from prayers at Central Buganda Diocese Cathedral quite late pushing their lunch break longer. At the time of the accident, around 2:30pm, most of the students were outside the classrooms reason the accident dangered a few who had returned to classes earlier" he said.

He added saying, it would have been worse if the children were back from lunch and fully settled in class! 

During his address to the Parliament on Thursday at Kololo ceremonial grounds, President Museveni directed that shs5m be paid to those who lost their children. 

Speaking to the deceased’s families, they together confirmed that they received this token of sympathy from the statehouse.

Here are the stories of those who lost their Lives. 

Namagembe Evelyn.

The 21 year old, born on September 6, 2001 was a daughter of Simon Lubuzi Kyagulanyi and Jane Namwanga. 

At the time of her death, Evelyn She had spent only 9 days in the school having reported on March 6, as a new entrant in Senior Five. 

Prior to joining the school, she studied at Bukalagi High School Gomba where she completed her ordinary level studies. 

Her teachers eulogised her as a Godly and prayerful girl whose love for God was evident. "With just a few days into school, She was allocated as a programmer in the chapel" her teacher said adding that even on the fateful day, she spearheaded the prayer preparations at church. 

She was buried on Thursday in Kasaka, Kyakuuma village in Kanoni Town Council, Gomba District.

Sserwanga Lewis.

Sserwanga, 15 was a Senior two student who died upon arrival at Hospital. 

He was Born on July 18, 2007 and completed his primary education at St. Peter Junior School Gomba befire joining the school to further his studies. 

His father, Godfrey Sajjabi died ten years ago leaving him in the hands of his mother Catherine Namale and uncle Kosea Kayongo Kagodo. 

His uncle, Kayongo says that their son was a footballer lover - strong in support and on the pitch. "He supported Manchester United and locally, he played Number 9 for Kisoga LC I Youth Football Team" he says.

Kayongo, a veterinary doctor adds that academically, Lewis wanted to become a veterinary doctor deriving inspiration from him. 

On the fateful day, he explains that Lewis who stayed with his grandfather passed by his house in the morning for pocket money, as was the norm before proceeding to school, the next they had was the death of their son.

He was buried on Wednesday in Bugerere.

Hilda Asege.

Remembered by her teachers as a cooperative and social student, Asege had just joined the school this year in Senior four.

The 17 year old was born on June 28, 2005 to John Odyen and Safina Nalubwama. Her father explains that he had brought his daughter to repeat Senior four at Kasaka SS having performed poorly in her finals at her former school. 

Upon arrival at school, her teachers say that she picked up and was very resourceful to her fellows in class because she had studied ahead of them, hence discussing for many of them during revision.

Her father, John Odyen recounts that Asege was good at sports, particularly Netball and co-curricular activities where her former school let her spare maximum time at the activities, which in a way dettered concentration in her academics. 

She was buried at their family ancestral home on Thursday in Ojingai village in Soroti City.

John Bosco Mawanda.

He was among the 3, together with Evelyn Asege and Evelyn Namagembe that died on spot after the accident.

Mawanda, 17 was born to JohnBosco Kayondo and Sylvia Nantumbwe on March 14, 2006. He died on his eighteenth birthday. 

His teachers described him as a disciplined student who was willing to learn. His father asserts that his son had deep love for technology something that explained his love for computers and gadgets. 

Prior to joining the school, Mawanda studied at Nsambwe Church of Uganda School for his primary education. 

He was buried on Thursday at Nsambwe in Gomba District.