PHOTOS: Thousands bid farewell to pupil who died in school bus crash

Ken Irakoze Mugabo, the child who died on January 9 after a school bus accident in Rebero, Kicukiro district was laid to rest on Friday January 13 at Rusororo cemetery, Gasabo district. The burial began at 06a.m and marked with series of events including bidding farewell to him at his parents’ home in Kagarama of Kicukiro district and a requiem service held at ADEPR Remera. Mugabo, 11, was a grade 5 pupil at Path to Success international school. He succumbed to injuries sustained in a school bus crash on the morning of January 9 when the bus he was aboard along with 24 other children, the driver and a teacher lost control along a steep slope and crashed in the nearby forest. In an interview with The New Times on Thursday, his father, Gad Niyomugabo, said his son was an energetic pupil who always respected his teachers. He was the class monitor, a leader, responsible for taking attendance, and providing feedback on how things could be improved at school events, among others. “He was open to everything. It was clear he valued everything he had as an assignment. Due to his dedication at a young age, we saw that he would be able to reach anything great he wanted to,” he said. Niyomugabo thanked President Paul Kagame who comforted parents right after the accident, promising to do everything possible to ensure the schoolchildren get appropriate treatment. In his tribute, Reverend Gaby Opare, the Principal of Path to Success, said: “Ken was brilliant student who was definitely on the path to success. He was of the top students throughout his grades and was precious in the sight of all his colleagues.” “He is fondly remembered for his close collaboration with his colleagues to ensure that they also excel with him. His passing is indeed a great loss not only to the school and close family but to the nation at large. We will truly miss him,” he added.

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PHOTOS: Thousands bid farewell to pupil who died in school bus crash