By Insight Post Uganda
Kasese-Uganda
The police and other security agencies have arrested at least 20 individuals linked to the recent terror attack on Mpondwe Lhubiriha senior secondary school in Kasese district.
The Friday night attack which claimed 42 lives, is believed to have been orchestrated by suspected rebels from the ISIS-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), based in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Until now, the terrorist group has not come out to claim responsibility for the heinous crime as it has done in previous attacks.
Fred Enanga, the Uganda police spokesperson, the ongoing inquiries into the incident have led to the arrest of not only the school director and head teacher but also several other individuals suspected to be collaborators of the ADF.
Enange told a security press briefing at the Police headquarters in Nagulu, Monday, that the suspects need to provide crucial answers to specific questions to aid ongoing investigations.
Additionally, Enanga sadly confirmed that the death toll remains at 42, with 37 of the victims being students.
According to Police’s current update, a total of 25 bodies have undergone postmortem examinations at Bwera Hospital. Out of these, 23 have already been released to the deceased’s close relatives, and guardians for burial.
However, there are still two remaining bodies that have been identified, but their respective relatives have not come forward to claim them at this time.
The spokesperson further reports that on Sunday, their medical and forensic teams conducted examinations on 17 bodies retrieved from the mortuary in Fort Portal. He noted that; “All 17 bodies were male and bore burns that were dispersed across their entire bodies, including the front and back,”
Shockingly, one of the victims displayed an additional gunshot wound, indicating that they were targeted inside the dormitory before it was set ablaze. Luckily, the police teams successfully collected DNA samples from both the bodies and the relatives of the victims for future comparative analysis.
Survivors, Victims
According to the police and Kasese local leaders, there are currently six injured survivors who are receiving medical treatment in various hospitals. The four survivors including Mbambu Felista (50 years old), Kule Elias (18 years old), Mumbere Godwin (16 years old), and Isingoma Julius (21 years old) are hospitalised at Bwera Hospital.
Wilfred Aliganyira was transferred to Kiruddu Hospital due to severe burns, while the 32-year-old Godwin Tumwebaze, was transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialised care as he sustained head injuries, warranting enhanced medical attention.
The police have confirmed the presence of four survivors namely Mumbere Edgar, Kato Moses, Muhindo Steven, and Kambesa Gideon have managed to endure the ordeal. Though, they are now under the care and support of medical professionals.
Counter-Operations
Continuing their efforts, the pursuit operation led by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Army remains active and focused. With each passing moment, the operation unfolds, generating expectations for forthcoming briefings that will update the nation on the progress made and the outcomes achieved in this ongoing counter-operation.
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