According to the latest information provided by the Army, the attack on Mpondwe-Lhubiriha school did not involve an explosive device as was previously suspected. The investigation is still ongoing, but at this time there is no evidence to suggest that a bomb was present. The security forces are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of the community and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

The Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) has refuted reports that a bomb went off at the Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Secondary School, killing and severely burning a number of students who were locked up in the dormitory.

Last week, attackers believed to be members of the Alliance Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group invaded the school and killed at least 40 students as well as their school gatekeeper by cutting them to death and burning them alive.

The army says there was no bomb deployed at the scene, despite rumors to the contrary. The army believes the ADF rebels just forced their way into the locked boy’s dormitory.

Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, the army’s deputy spokesperson, stated that “there was no evidence” in reference to the occurrences.

Akiiki also pointed out that there might be gaps in the army’s information, but he encouraged that they shouldn’t be heavily chastised for keeping the calm in the region for so long. This may have provided a guarantee for the security and made everyone blind to a potential attack.

However, according to fresh intelligence reports from the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF), the rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) only spent 25 minutes in Kasese before attacking the school.