The country continues to mourn and grieve over the death of 42 people, including 37 students, in the Friday night deadly terrorist attack, at Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpondwe, Kasese district.
The Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga has emphasized that the attack on innocent children was barbaric, inhumane and constituted crimes against humanity.
“As a country, 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.
He has confirmed that out of the 42 dead bodies, so far 25 have been examined for post mortem at Bwera hospital. Police have however publicised the list of the names of the identified dead bodies which include;
- 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
10. Nyakato Eliza, a 19 year old female, S.2 student
11. Biira Ronet, a 17 year old, female S.3 student
12. Biira Gauba, a 20 year old, female student
13. Mbambu Junior, a 20 year old, female student
14. Kabugho Jovibine, a 16year old, female, S.1 student
15. Biira Melvine, a 14 year old, female S.1 student
16. Ithungu Marion, a 22 year old, female student
17. Ithungu Joy, a 17 year old, female S.3 student
18. Biira Amina Rashid, a 17 year old female juvenile
19. Masereka Zakayo, a 70 year old, male peasant
20. Masika Florence, a 95 year old, female peasant
21. Ithungu Regina, a 16 year old, female student
22. Kabugo Masiline, an 18 year old female, S.1 student
23. Ithungu Mackline, a 12 year old, female student in S.1
24.Khabugho Janet, a 16year old, female student in S.1
25. Khabugho Bridget Deya, a 16 year old, female student
Enanga has added that so far 23 bodies have been handed over to the relatives to accord them decent burial following the government’s sh5m which were handed over to the relatives to work on the burial arrangements. Two bodies are not yet claimed
Yesterday, June 18, 2023, the Police’s medical and forensic teams examined 17 burnt bodies from the mortuary in FortPortal. All the 17 burnt bodies 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 said.
A total of six injured persons are still admitted, four remain in Bwera hospital, one was transferred to Kiruddu and another one transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Those admitted include;
- 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, still in critical condition at Bwera hospital.
- Kule Erias, aged 18 years, 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.
According to Police, survivors recovered from the incident are now four. These include; Mumbere Edgar, Kato Moses, Muhindo Steven and Kambesa Gideon.
At least 20 suspected ADF collaborators have been arrested, to assist with our investigations. These include the Director and Headteacher of Lhubirira Secondary School. These kinds of attacks are a strong reminder, to all Ugandans and visitors, in the country, that a threat environment still exists.