The African Union Commission (AU) has condemned the terrorist attack targeted a school in Western Uganda, near border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, that left at least 42 students dead, more injured and others unaccounted for.
AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat who in a statement on Saturday, made the condemnation, said it’s an heinous and a shocking attack which was suspected to have been carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia.
Mahamat reiterated the need for an urgent holistic regional approach to address the threat posed by terrorist and armed groups operating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, to ensure regional security.
He expressed his sincere condolences to the loved ones of the victims, and wished a full recovery to the injured students, while using this opportunity to reaffirm the African Union’s continued and unwavering solidarity with Ugandan government and people during this painful period of national loss.
It was reported that at least 42 people were confirmed dead in Western Uganda following the suspected attack by a militia linked to Islamic State, Allied Democratic Forces militants on a school near the border of Congo on Friday.
According to the Uganda’s Defense Forces Spokesman, Felix Kulayigye said, the militants attacked Lubiriha Secondary at Mpondwe border in Kasese district where 39 students were killed, two residents and one security guard bringing the number to 42.
He explained that the school was found burning with the school food store broken into and with posho and beans taken, soldiers were pursuing the attackers who fled towards Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eight of those injured are seeking treatment, while three people were rescued and six were abducted, the statement said. In April, the militia attacked a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 20 people. Uganda sent troops to Congo to help fight the terrorists.