On the night of June 16, 2023, at least 41 individuals were killed in a gruesome attack on Lhubiriha Secondary School in the border town of Mpondwe. The school, co-ed and privately owned, is located in the Ugandan district of Kasese, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Congo border by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The ADF has been known to have made repeated attacks in the region for several years, causing hundreds to flee, and severely impacting the area’s social and economic activity.
The victims included the students, one guard and two members of the local community who were killed outside the school, Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Mayor Selevest Mapoze told The Black Examiner
The Aftermath of the Attack
The ADF attack on the school inflicted significant damage in the region, with the authorities recording 41 deaths, six abductions, and more injuries. The Ugandan army and police, along with other security services, responded swiftly and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Role of ADF Rebel Group in the Attack
The ADF is a militant Islamist group that has been operating in the DRC since the 1990s, with the group having close ties to other jihadist organizations such as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS). The group has been responsible for a spate of attacks in the DRC and Uganda, causing thousands of deaths and displacing several thousands of individuals. The ADF’s stated aim is to establish an Islamic state in the region. Although it is unclear about what specifically motivated the ADF’s attack on the Rwenzori school, violent extremist groups often target schools and other learning institutions because they are symbols of state power and represent potential pools of future opposition.
The Security Situation in Uganda
The security situation in Uganda has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with the continued operations of the ADF and other extremist groups being a major cause of concern. The Ugandan government has taken several measures aimed at curbing terrorism, ranging from deploying troops to the affected regions, to engaging international partners for support in addressing security challenges. However, the response has been uneven, with several criticisms pointing to corruption, lack of political will, and inadequate military tactics that have failed to protect the citizens.
The Future of Uganda’s Security
Given the extreme security challenges in Uganda, the country needs to implement more sustainable security measures that cater to the needs of the local population. It is necessary to develop a comprehensive approach that takes into account the economic, social, and political needs of the region, supports community-led initiatives, and engages youths productively. Additionally, there needs to be more cooperation between the government and international partners to tackle the security challenges facing the country.
In conclusion, the recent attacks by the ADF in Uganda serve as another reminder of the threat posed by violent extremist groups to global security. The Ugandan government must act decisively to address the country’s security challenges adequately, with support from regional actors and international partners. The use of a comprehensive approach that takes into account the needs of the local population will be essential in the efforts to provide durable solutions to the security challenges in the region.
