Following the brutal killing of at least 42 students from Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese district last week, the Pope has held condolence prayers at Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican City.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels attacked the school on Friday night, butchering students and non students mercilessly before fleeing.
They raided the school at Mpondwe town which is about 2 kilometres from the Uganda-DRC border killing 42 people, 37 of whom were students. Among the dead students included 17 males and 20 females.
Pope Francis while holding his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican, he called for peace across regions of the world affected by conflict and fighting.
“I pray for the young student victims of the brutal attack against a school in western Uganda.” he said
The Pope called for prayers for peace and urged the faithful worldwide to work toward peace in regions afflicted by tension and conflict.
Maj Dick Olum, the Shujja Operations Commander said the ADF rebels linked to the brutal killing entered the country two days before the attack with the aid of some locals, who are being sought out.
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, said on Monday that 20 suspected ADF accomplices have been arrested so far and that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces- UPDF will soon address the country on the matter.
Among the deceased include; Muhindi Wapalya, Kiiza Khabugho Rosette, Rusia Kamalha, Martin Kule, Eliton Masereka, Rosette Masika, Ruth Katusime, Mackline Nzabake, and Mbusa Kirihuhandi-the school watchman.
Other identified killed persons include Eliza Nyakato, Ronet Biira, Gauba Biira, Junior Mbambu, Jovibine Kabugho, Melvine Biira, Marion Ithungu, Joy Ithungu, Amina Rashid, Zakayo Masereka, Florence Masika, Regina Ithungu, Masiline Kabugho, Mackline Ithungu, Janet Khabugho, and Bridget Deya Khabugho.
This is the second time that a similar incident is happening in Uganda. In June 1998, the ADF carried out a similar assault on Kichwamba Technical Institute near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing 80 students by burning down dormitories and abducting 100 others.