A pall of grief has descended upon the football fraternity following the tragic death of five students from Iki-Iki Senior Secondary School in a road accident in eastern Uganda. Several other students sustained injuries in the same accident.

According to Sports Nation Uganda, the accident occurred along the Mbale–Tirinya Highway at Jami in Kamonkoli Town Council, Mbale District on Tuesday.

The students were traveling to Kamonkoli Seed Secondary School in Budaka District to participate in the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) football games when the truck transporting them reportedly overturned.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the vehicle, registration number UAP 443Z, lost control before overturning, killing five students on the spot.

Authorities have since arrested the driver, who is expected to face charges including overloading, operating a vehicle in poor mechanical condition, and reckless driving.

The injured students were rushed to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Iki-Iki Senior Secondary School had earlier competed in the tournament, narrowly defeating Grace Comprehensive School 1-0 before losing to Bugwere High School in their opening Group D fixtures.

The team was scheduled to play additional matches later the same day against Iki-Iki High School and Ngoma Standard School.

This tragedy comes just days after another fatal accident claimed the lives of eight Red Devo Football Club fans, including the club’s chief executive officer, following the team’s Uganda Cup exit against Express FC.