The Allied Democratic Forces forces killed 25 students and left eight casualties in an attack that was carried on Lhubirira Secondary School, in Mpondwe-Kasese, located approximately 2kms from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border with Uganda, on Friday, June 16, 2023, leaving a dormitory in flames and looting food.
According to the Headteacher of the school, the attack was carried at around 11:00pm by unknown assailants who left over 20 students dead and only three were suspected to be surviving.
He said that at the time of the attack, the matron was the one on site.
“With much horror, the Headteacher of Lhubirira Secondary School, I announce a massive death of my students who have been attacked by unknown enemies and have been killed. It’s quite a big number of students because our school has been mostly boarding, so it has been attacked and many have died, I think the surviving may only be three, although am not on site, but matron has confirmed,” the Headteacher said in an audio.
However, according the SCP Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson in a statement issued by Police on Saturday, June 17, 2023, the terrorist attack on the school was done by the ADF rebels in Mpondwe, 2kms from the DRC border.
“Last night, we registered a terrorist attack by the ADF rebels, on Lhubirira secondary school, in Mpondwe, that is located about 2 kms, from the DRC border,” he said.
Enanga said that after killing 25 students, the rebels set a school dormitory on fire and looted a food store. He added that the eight casualties were rushed to Bwera Hospital for medical treatment.
“A dormitory was burnt and a food store looted. So far 25 bodies have been recovered from the school and transferred to Bwera Hospital. Also recovered are 8 victims, who remain in critical condition at Bwera Hospital,” Enanga said in a statement.
He added that UPDF and Police arrived at the scene and evacuated the bodied while the victim were taken for medical attention at Bwera Hospital in Kasese.
The Spokesperson noted that UPDF in conjunction with Police are pursuing the assailants towards the direction of Citing a National Park.
He condoned the illicit behavior of the attackers and condoned with the affected families.
“A hot pursuit by the UPDF and the police is ongoing, towards Virunga national park. We do offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who have been killed, and offer our prayers and thoughts to those who have been wounded. More details will be availed in due course,” Enanga noted.
