06/20/2023 Uganda (International Christian Concern) — Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamic State-affiliated terrorist group, killed at least 45 students in an attack in Mpondwe, Kasese District, Uganda, on Friday. The town is two kilometers away from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s border.
“I was alerted of the attack a few minutes after 11 p.m. as screams of the students were heard from our school,” said Llubhira Secondary School’s head teacher. “I contacted security immediately, but they never showed up until after an hour when the attack had ended, and the rebels were on their way out. At the moment, we have counted 45 dead students. The majority of them were killed inside the student residence that was bombed while the others were found dead at the classes doing preps.”
The headteacher also added that the attackers abducted an unknown number of students. So far, 25 bodies have been recovered, and eight victims remain in critical condition. The actual number of people who were killed is yet to be established as more bodies are being recovered.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who have been killed and offer our prayers and thoughts to those who have been wounded,” said Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police Force Spokesperson.
He added that the rebels set a dormitory on fire and looted a food store.
Local sources have also confirmed that three members of the community were also killed as the rebels went back, looting homes and killing people.
A local motorcycle rider confirmed spotting the ADF militants heavily armed near the school just before the attack, saying, “I was riding home after work when I saw a group of about 30 people dressed in jungle uniform but with their heads covered and armed to the teeth. I thought they were our border patrol soldiers doing their usual security checks, but back in my mind, I was wondering why they had covered their faces. Little did I know they were the ADFs from Congo.”
This attack comes just five days after
eight people were killed in Kasindi, about four kilometers from the school. The June 11 attack put the Uganda security forces on high alert, with the Uganda Police Force Spokesperson assuring the residents of the border town of Mpondwe to remain calm.
“I want to assure our people there that the joined security agencies continue to patrol our borderlines,” he said.
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