Police and local officials on Saturday, June 17, 2023, stated that 25 students in western Uganda have been killed by Militants linked to the Islamic State group.
According to Fred Enanga, National police spokesman, in the attack on Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe by the ADF, which is based in DR Congo’s strife-torn east, “a dormitory was burnt and food store looted”.
He further said “So far 25 bodies have been recovered from the school and transferred to Bwera Hospital.
“Also recovered are eight victims, who remain in critical condition at Bwera hospital”.
Confirming the incident, the Resident Commissioner for Kasese, Joe Walusimbi, told newsmen that several students were still missing and the deceased so far were all pupils.
“All of the dead so far are confirmed to be students at the school,” he said
Enanga also stated that the army and police units were in “hot pursuit” of the attackers who fled towards the direction of Virunga National Park across the border in DR Congo.
Felix Kulayigye, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces spokesman said the attackers may have also kidnapped some people.
“Our forces are pursuing the enemy to rescue those abducted and destroy this group,” he said.
This is not ADF’s first attack on a school in Uganda.
In June 1998, following an ADF attack on Kichwamba Technical Institute near the border of DR Congo, 80 students were burnt to death in their dormitories while more than 100 students were abducted.
The United States announced in March this year, a reward of up to $5 million for information that will lead to the capture of the ADF’s leader.
