The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) commander in charge of the Mountain Division Maj. Gen. Dick Olum on Saturday explained the circumstances of the ADF attack on a school in Kasese.

Olum said the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked Lhuburia Secondary School in Nyabugando Parish, Karambi Sub-County using their local agent in the area who provided detailed information about the school.

“They used one of the locals here, a boy who showed them the school and he left. They then got to know where the dormitories are. Last night, they returned to the school and locked the boy's dormitory from outside. The boys tried fighting but they were overwhelmed by the fire. The doors to the girls' dormitory were opened and they entered, cut them, and shot others. They then abducted them,” Olum said.

Olum, who was speaking from the school, also confirmed that the ADF terrorists left Kasindi Port in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and spent two days surveying the area before they attacked.

“They wanted to burn the vehicles, but when they saw the army trucks they feared and decided to attack the school,” he said.

Call for forgiveness 

He asked the locals in the area to forgive the army because they had not envisaged this because of the relative peace that the area had enjoyed. 

"I don’t stay here. I stay in DRC. But to see that this has happened in my own country is shameful," Olum, who is also the overall commander of Operation Shujaa, said.

The Governments of DRC and Uganda are pursuing the ADF terror group through Operation Shujaa which has seen their bases being destroyed by the joint armies.

Air force deployed 

He also confirmed the army had deployed aircraft to hunt for the ADF who had fled the area and they would try to rescue those who had been abducted.

DNA tests to be carried out 

He said the remains of those who were burnt beyond recognition would be taken to Fort Portal General Hospital.

"For those who were burnt beyond recognition, we will request relatives to submit DNA samples for tests. Those who can be identified will be handed to their relatives for decent burial,” he added.

Call for alertness

He urged the residents to be alert. “The governments of Uganda and DRC are working on the road from Kasindi to Beni so that you may be able to do business. If there is someone you don’t know in this area, please alert the security agencies and have them arrested.”

He also said President Yoweri Museveni was sending a senior government minister to come with his condolence messages and some help to the bereaved families.

“We also expect other senior UPDF officers who are coming here,” Olum said.

The Saturday attack is like the June 8, 1998 massacre of over 80 students at the Kichwamba Technical Institute in Kabarole district by the same terror group.

The ADF attacked the institute and set three dormitories on fire, killing 80 students and abducting several others.