KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police said Monday that the director and headteacher of Lhubiriha Secondary School were among the 20 other suspects arrested to aid with investigations in the terror attack that left 37 students and 5 other individuals killed last week.
The attack that occurred at around 11 pm on Friday, June 16, at the school located in Mpondwe, Nyabugando Parish, Karambi Sub County in Kasese District left six others hospitalized with critical injuries while an unknown number of students were taken as hostages by the suspected ADF rebels.
While addressing journalists at Naguru police headquarters on Monday, SCP Fred Enanga, the force’s spokesperson confirmed that 20 people have been arrested in connection with the Lhubiriha secondary school attack to help in investigations.
“At least 20 people of suspected ADF collaborators have been arrested but we also have apprehended the head teacher and director of school as part of our inquiries to give us answers to certain questions,” said Enanga on Monday morning.
The arrest of suspected collaborators follows reports by the UPDF Mountain Division Commander, Gen Dick Olum that the attackers had spent two days in the area prior to the attack and that they could have been helped out by some of the locals.
He also said that the attackers could have been helped by locals to carry out reconnaissance and identifying their target by getting prior knowledge of the geography of the school.
“They knew where the girls sleep and where the boys sleep, they burn the boys and hacked the girls,” he said.
Maj Gen Olum wondered why the locals were not vigilant enough to see that some new members have come to the community, he called upon residents to open their eyes for any new members in the community and report such.
Speaking of the terror attack on Sunday, President Museveni said that the UPDF would deploy more troops to fight ADF rebels, whose group has been designated by the US as a terrorist outfit but was also stated by the Islamic State as its affiliate in Central Africa.
Meanwhile, 25 of those who were killed have been identified while forensic teams from the UPDF and police have taken DNA samples of the 17 male students who were burnt beyond recognition. Police have said 23 of the 25 identified bodies have been given to relatives for burial while two others remain unpicked by their family members.
The identified bodies include Muhindi Wapalya, Kiiza Khabugho Rosette, Rusia Kamalha, Martin Kule, Eliton Masereka, Rosette Masika, Ruth Katusime, Mackline Nzabake, and Mbusa Kirihuhandi-the school watchman.
Other identified killed persons include Eliza Nyakato, Ronet Biira, Gauba Biira, Junior Mbambu, Jovibine Kabugho, Melvine Biira, Marion Ithungu, Joy Ithungu, Amina Rashid, Zakayo Masereka, Florence Masika, Regina Ithungu, Masiline Kabugho, Mackline Ithungu, Janet Khabugho, and Bridget Deya Khabugho.
Security agencies have transferred two of the six injured people to Kiruddu and Mulago hospitals in Kampala. Wilfred Aliganuira who sustained severe burns is admitted at Kiruddu while Godwin Tumwebaze is admitted at Mulago.
The other four not with life-threatening injuries have been left at Bwera Hospital. These include Mbambo Felistas, Kule Elias, Mbumbere Godwin, and Isingoma Julius, The survivors have been identified as Edgar Mumbere, Moses Kato and Gideon Kambesa.
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