37 students of Lhubiriha SS killed by suspected ADF rebels in Kasese 

At least 37 students of Lhubiriha secondary school, in Mpondwe, Kasese district in western have been killed by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

The school had 63 students in the boarding section. According to information from the school administration, the suspected rebels attacked the school at around 11:30 pm on Friday shortly after the students had returned from the evening preps.

Mary Musoki a teacher at the school said the gunmen who also carried other killer objects first stormed the school director’s home and demanded money from his wife who was alone at the time.

Shortly after, they stormed the male and female dormitories cutting their victims into pieces and shooting them. They later set a section of the school block on fire. Tai Ramadhan, the Bwera division DPC says they are searching for other students who are still missing.

By the time of filling this story, security organs led by the UPDF and police had cordoned off the school. In a statement released by the army, 37 bodies have been recovered while 8 students are nursing injuries at Bwera hospital. Another 3 were rescued alive while six were abducted according to army spokesperson Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye. He said that the UPDF and the police are pursuing the suspected rebels towards Virunga national park.

The attack on the school brings fresh memories of the 1998 attack on Kichwamba Technical Institute in Kabarole district by ADF rebels. The rebels killed 80 students and also abducted several during the attack.

On Monday, more than 100 Congolese nationals entered Mpondwe-Lubiriha Town Council following suspected ADF attacks on local communities.  Eight people are reported to have been killed during the attack.