In Uganda, the death toll of a terrorist attack perpetrated in a high school in the west of the country has risen to 43 dead. At the same time, the opposition continues to step up, particularly on Ugandan security capabilities. Explanations.
In Uganda, the toll is growing after the terrorist attack perpetrated on the night of June 16 to 17, 2023 near the Congolese border, in Mpondwe high school.
The authorities accuse the Islamist group ADF of being behind the attack which, according to the Ugandan press, has now left 43 people dead following the death of one of the injured.
At the same time, security has been tightened in the west of the country. At the request of President Yoweri Museveni, more troops were sent there, particularly around the Rwenzori Mountains, from where the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) had launched their insurgency in the 1990s, and where the group exploited cocoa and ores.
The pursuit of the attackers also continues in neighboring Congo where the terrorists are said to have fled. Three high school students attacked and held hostage by the group for carrying stolen food, have also managed to escape. They were returned to their families, the army said.
>> To read also: Attack in a high school in Uganda: traumatized, the population awaits the result of the investigation
A suspect was also arrested. A youngster who posted a video on TikTok saying he belonged to the ADF and took part in the assault on the school.
The opposition continues to step up. According to some parties, the attack could be a revenge of the group after the commitment of Ugandan soldiers against him in the DRC.
On June 21, the opponent Abdallah Kiwanuka considered that the deployment of the army abroad reduced the security capacities on the national territory. He called on the power to order the return to the country of these soldiers.
In the meantime, measures are being taken in schools. The district where the attack took place asked the establishments closed after the tragedy to reopen their doors, to provide psychological support to young people. Young people who are asked to be more vigilant in the event of a suspicious event.
Finally, schools should employ more than one security guard and ensure they are trained.