Ugandan Police have identified 11 of the 17 students who were burned to death in a dormitory at Lhubiriha Secondary School on June 16, 2023, during an attack by suspected armed rebels.
Authorities said Monday that the identities of the night attack victims were revealed after their remains were subjected to DNA extracted from relatives by the Directorate of Forensic Services, which includes officers from both the police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
During the tragic terror attack, the students at the school in Nyabugando cell, Nyabugando ward, Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council, Kasese District, western Uganda, were burned beyond recognition.
The attackers also murdered 20 other students and five members of the community. One of the women hacked in the attack as the assailants raided the school neighbourhood died from her injuries the next day, bringing the total to 43, according to the Ugandan police.
Speaking to journalists at the Ugandan police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, police spokesperson Fred Enanga urged parents of the identified victims to join the forensic and medical teams at Bwera hospital mortuary tomorrow (June 27) to retrieve their loved one’s remains.
The relatives whose DNA was matched with the victims are; Roset Komuhangi, Sylvia Biira, Yasin Baluku, Grace Kahindo, Rose Mary Biira, Rebecca Muhindo, Kyakimwa Nyesi, Wilson Mbabazi & Christine Tumuhise.
Others are Jane Ithungu, Kule Ngindona, and Kabugho Pelegina
Meanwhile, relatives of the remaining six victims have been advised to send their biological mothers, maternal aunts, and or maternal grandparents to Bwera Police Station to submit DNA samples.
“The burial arrangements are being coordinated by the government, through the Ministry of Education and Sports,” Mr Enanga said.
On Friday, the Commander of Operation Shujaa in DR Congo, Maj Gen Dick Olum, said the army had not rescued any student from the rebels.
Maj Gen Olum, however, said in one of its encounters with the rebels, they rescued one woman and three children.
