Mpondwe, Uganda: suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels who carried out a horrific attack at Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpondwe, western Uganda, last night first mingled with mourners in the nearby village.
Locals have told journalists and the security forces that there was a funeral within the area during the day which attracted many mourners.
It is believed it was from this funeral that they were able to scan the area, reorganize and launch a surprise attack that caught the security forces off-guard.
The security forces are pursuing this lead and several others.
Indeed, Maj Gen Dick Olum, the UPDF commander of Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa in DR Congo seemed to collaborate on this information when he addressed area residents this morning.
“We have got information that the rebels spent two nights here before they raided the school. We have sent for choppers to be deployed in our search and rescue operation for the students who were abducted,” he said.
According to him, some students, especially the boys were burnt to death while the girls were hacked and others were taken as captives.
The ADF attack from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed the lives of more than 26 students, according to official sources. Unofficial sources, however, put the death toll at 52.
Local sources say they used the porous border crossing point through a valley to access the area and their target. It is the same route they used to escape and they are suspected to be hiding in the Virunga forest areas across the DRC.
Our local sources tell ResearchFinds News that angry residents at Mpondwe Border Post this morning took the law into their own hands and stoned to death a young man suspected of being a rebel collaborator. They have also burnt his house and we couldn’t verify his identity at the time of filing this story.
The armed rebels, suspected to have ties to ISIS, targeted the school late on Friday night, resulting in a tragic loss of innocent lives and significant damage to the educational institution.
The school is supported by Western donors and most students who are benefiting are said to be haling from poor families in the deep villages and sub-counties of Kasese District.
According to Major Bilal Katamba, the spokesperson for Uganda’s military operations in the DRC, approximately 20 to 25 rebels launched the attack between 11 p.m. and midnight. They launched a brutal assault on Lhubirira secondary school, indiscriminately targeting students. Tragically, 26 students were killed, and eight others sustained critical injuries. The attackers also abducted six students from the school.
The rebels set fire to the school premises, causing extensive damage. As the flames raged, authorities and emergency services worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire. Major Katamba acknowledged the possibility of discovering more casualties as the search and recovery efforts continue. However, no survivors were found trapped within the school.
In response to the attack, the Ugandan military has launched operations in pursuit of the ADF rebels. The military suspects that the perpetrators are attempting to escape into the Virunga National Park in the DRC. This cross-border pursuit underscores the urgency and determination to bring those responsible to justice.
The devastating assault on Lhubirira Secondary School has sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the continued threat posed by the ADF rebels.
Known for their acts of violence and alleged connections to extremist ideologies, the ADF rebels have inflicted suffering and destabilized communities in both the DRC and Uganda.
Ugandan authorities, including the police and the Uganda People’s Defense Force, have mobilized and are in “hot pursuit” of the attackers. The pursuit aims to ensure the safety of the affected area and bring the rebels to justice.
The attack on Lhubirira Secondary School underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and cross-border cooperation to combat the ADF rebels’ activities. It also serves as a stark reminder of the resilience and determination required to protect educational institutions and ensure the safety of students and staff members.
As investigations continue and the affected community mourns the loss of young lives, the Ugandan government, security forces, and local communities are united in their commitment to restoring peace, providing support to the victims’ families, and safeguarding educational environments against future threats.
