BY SAMUEL AMANYIRE KACHOPE
Today June 16, 2025 marked two years ever since the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked Mpondwe- Lhubiriha Secondary School and caused the death of about 45 people including 38 students and 7 community members.
Situated in Nyabugando Ward in Mpondwe- Lhubiriha Town Council, Kasese District, Mpondwe- Lhubiriha Secondary School and the neighboring community faced the most horrible day since their existence when the ADF attacked the institution and massacred students in a cold blood, went on to burn others beyond recognition and killed people in Nyabugando, an immediate village neighboring the school.
The burnt bodies were subjected to DNA testing to critically identify them and be given decent burials by their respective relatives.
Speaking to Radio Messiah at Shiloh Hotel located in Kasese Municipality, Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga Kiime, the
Minister of State in-charge of National Guidance revealed that three bodies were still unclaimed because they got issues related to matching blood samples during DNA testing and that 11 students who were abducted are still missing.
Kabbyanga, who extended his condolences to the families that lost their dear ones, revealed that all the 13 ADF rebels that were behind the unforgettable incident were dealt with including putting out of action 12 and arresting their commander, a one ‘Njovu’ alive.
He added that since then, they had amplified security in all the areas along the Uganda – Democratic Republic of Congo borderline to completely prevent such acts from ever happening again.
Rt. Rev. Francis Acquirinus Kibira, the Bishop of the Kasese based Catholic Diocese mobilized at least 10 survivors of the Mpondwe- Lhubiriha Secondary School attack from various families /places and chose to foster their education at Kasese Secondary School situated in Kasese Municipality.
Mr. Joseph Nzukwa, the Kasese Secondary School Head teacher disclosed that it was gradual process to rehabilitate the traumatized students and prepare their minds for a fresh learning environment.
He appealed to the Non and Governmental Organizations among other well -wishers to come to their rescue.
ENDS