By Remmy Asiteza
Uganda Police Spokesperson SCP Enanga Fred confirmed the report on Monday, June 19, 2023 (Photo/Courtesy)
KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police have identified at least 25 of the 42 people who died in the most recent deadly terrorist attack, at Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpondwe, Kasese, western Uganda.
The total figure of fatalities and casualties according to police includes 37 students (20 girls and 17 boys) who were killed by suspected rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces, before later taking a few others as hostages into Eastern DR Congo.
The terror attack also left at least six others seriously injured victims and currently admitted at government hospitals undergoing treatment.
In an update to the media on Monday afternoon, Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga trashed allegations from several media outlets who reported the death toll to be 50 and said only 42 people have been confirmed dead from the attack, with 25 bodies identified and 23 already handed over for burial.
“As you are all aware, the country continues to mourn and grieve, over the death of 42 people, including 37 children, in the most recent deadly terrorist attack, at Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpondwe, Kasese,” said Enanga.
Enanga explained that a team from the forensic department yesterday, June 18 examined 17 burnt bodies from the mortuary in Fort Portal all of whom were male, and the burns were distributed all over the bodies, both front and back.
“One of the victims had an additional gunshot wound. Another had dry flame burns (dense soot in the airway). The forensic team picked DNA samples from the bodies and from relatives for DNA comparison” Enanga explained.
The list of the Lhubiriha school attack victims includes;
- Muhindi Wapalya, a 25-year-old, male adult.
- Kiiza Khabugho Rosette, a 15 year old, female student
- Kamalha Rusia, a 15 year old, female S.2 female student.
- Kule Martin, a 22 year old, male S.3, male student
- Masereka Eliton, a 17 year old, male S.3 student
- Masika Rosette, a 17 year old, female student
- Katusime Ruth, a 20 year old, female student
- Nzabake Mackline, an 18 year old, female S.2 student
- Mbusa Kirilhuhandi, a 47 year old, school watchman
- Nyakato Eliza, a 19 year old female, S.2 student
- Biira Ronet, a 17 year old, female S.3 student
- Biira Gauba, a 20 year old, female student
- Mbambu Junior, a 20 year old, female student
- Kabugho Jovibine, a 16year old, female, S.1 student
- Biira Melvine, a 14 year old, female S.1 student
- Ithungu Marion, a 22 year old, female student
- Ithungu Joy, a 17 year old, female S.3 student
- Biira Amina Rashid, a 17 year old female juvenile.
- Masereka Zakayo, a 70 year old, male peasant.
- Masika Florence, a 95 year old, female peasant
- Ithungu Regina, a 16 year old, female student
- Kabugo Masiline, an 18 year old female, S.1 student
- Ithungu mackline, a 12 year old, female student in S.1
- Khabugho Janet, a 16year old, female student in S.1
- Khabugho Bridget Deya, a 16 year old, female student
According to Mr Enanga, a total of 6 injured persons were confirmed as casualties from the heinous attack, and these are still admitted, with 4 of them at Bwera government hospital, while one was transferred to Kiruddu and another to Mulago National Referral Hospital for better management.
Enanga identified the list of casualties as below;
- Aliganyira Wilfred, aged 21, who was transferred to Kiruddu Hospital, with severe burns for better management.
- Tumwebaze Godwin, aged 32 who was transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, with a head injury for better management.
- Mbambu Felistus, a 50-year-old, female adult in critical condition at Bwera Hospital.
- Kule Erias, aged 18 years, was still admitted at Bwera Hospital with a cut wound on the left side of the head.
- Mumbere Godwin, a 16-year-old, male juvenile still admitted at Bwera hospital with a gunshot wound on the left side of the head.
Isingoma Julius, a 21-year-old, male adult, still admitted at Bwera Hospital with soft tissue injuries.
Police also identified four survivors who recovered from the incident, and these include; Mumbere Edgar, Kato Moses, Muhindo Steven and Kambesa Gideon.
In the aftermath of the attack and security investigations, Enanga told journalists that at least 20 suspected ADF collaborators including the Director and Headteacher of Lhubirira Secondary School have been arrested, to assist with our investigations.
“As a county, we continue to stand by each other, in the fight against terrorism. No matter how heinous the attack or how brutal or inhumane the methods used, the ADF will not be able to succeed in demolishing the solidarity of Ugandans, in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” Enanga said.
“These kinds of attacks are a strong reminder, to all Ugandans and visitors, in the country, that a threat environment still exists.”