Maj Gen Dick Olum, the UPDF commander of mountain division and operation Shujaa in Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC has disclosed that they have got information that the Allied Democratic Forces-ADF rebels spent two nights in Kasese district western Uganda before they attacked Mpondwe Lhubiriha secondary school in Nyabugando parish Karambi sub county Kasese, killing at least 42 civilians including 39 students on June 16, 2023 night at 11:30pm.
While addressing locals in Kasese yesterday, he confirmed that security had sent for choppers to be deployed in the search and rescue operation for the students who were abducted. The non-student victims include a school security guard who was shot dead and other school neighbors hacked by the rebels. 6 students were abducted, and several students are nursing serious injuries. Only 3 boys survived since they had escaped from school to a night disco.
According to Olum, some students, especially the boys were burnt to death while the girls were hacked and operations are underway to rescue the captives.
INTELLIGENCE/SECURITY GAPS: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces-UPDF spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye has admitted that there was some intelligence or security gaps, questioning why the local intelligence officers failed to detect this threat. He says it’s a lesson and security is also involving locals as investigations continue. It is believed that the ADF rebels who were less than 7 in number later used porous border to escape, taking Virunga National Park direction.
Top army officials including UPDF Chief of Defense Forces-CDF Gen Wilson Mbadi, Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga and others have camped in the area.
President Museveni also assigned his wife, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataha Museveni to assess the situation.
On Janet’s assignment John Chrysestom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education has also visited the scene where he confirmed that the government is giving Ugx5 million to each family that lost their beloved ones as investigations continue.
On Janet’s assignment John Chrysestom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education has also visited the scene where he confirmed that the government is giving Ugx5 million to each family that lost their beloved ones as investigations continue.
The Bishop of Kasese catholic diocese Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira has called for a sense of humanity among the people of God so as to save lives. Locals have also asked government to boost security operations in the area.
The government has also picked keen interest in investigating reports that there is a wrangle between some people and an NGO led by a Canadian identified as Peter Hunter over ownership of the attacked school. Mpondwe Lhubiriha secondary school which is located 2km from Uganda-DRC border was established by Peter Hunter’s NGO.
