Rwandans condole with family of child killed in bus accident
Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Officials, celebrities and members of the public have sent condolences to the family of Kenny Irakoze Mugabo, a child who died on Monday night following a school bus accident.

Dr Valentine Uwamariya, the minister of education, wished the bereaved family comfort.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the children who had an accident yesterday morning in the car that was taking them to Path to Success school,” Uwamariya tweeted on Tuesday morning.

"We wish his family, friends and fellow students comfort and strength. May God grant him eternal rest in peace.”

Mugabo was one of the 27 people who were rushed to hospital soon after the accident, which happened at around 8am.

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Other children, the bus driver and a teacher are receiving treatment at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK).

A medical source said he suffered a fatal injury to the inferior vena cava, a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body to the heart.

The condition in general is called Blunt abdominal trauma, or injury to abdominal organs.

This reportedly caused excessive bleeding and injury to the liver. He died from Inferior vena cava (IVC) rupture.

"Too sad!” wrote Faustin Ntezilyayo, the Chief Justice. "May his soul rest in eternal peace. May God comfort his family and the whole school.”

"I am heartbroken,” gospel singer Aline Gahongayire tweeted in reaction to the news of Mugabo’s death.

Annick Umutoniwase, a Twitter user, wrote: "This is so sad. May his beautiful soul rest with the angels. May God comfort his parents, can’t imagine what they’re going through,”

The school bus was coming down a steep road in the Rebero area in Kicukiro District when it crashed into a nearby forested area a few kilometres from the school.

The cause of the accident is yet to be officially established. However, some sources said the bus might have had an issue with its braking system.