At least 41 young students killed as rebels provoke violence near Uganda-DRC border
In a heartfelt address during his first Sunday Angelus since his release from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis expressed deep sorrow and offered prayers for the victims of a brutal attack on a school in western Uganda. The Pope called upon everyone to pray for peace in the face of rising tension and conflicts around the world.
The attack, believed to be carried out by rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), resulted in the tragic loss of at least 41 young lives at a secondary school in Lhubiriha, located in the Ugandan district of Kasese. The school, situated just two kilometers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border, fell victim to the ruthless violence orchestrated by the ADF.
Reports suggest that some students were brutally slaughtered, while several female students were kidnapped by the attackers. Additionally, a guard and two members of the local community were shot outside the school premises. Eight individuals were fortunate enough to be rescued but remain in critical condition.
The Ugandan army has launched a pursuit of the attackers, who are said to be fleeing to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The ADF, notorious for their frequent attacks on civilians in remote areas of eastern Congo, has been a source of instability and violence for years. The rebel group vehemently opposes the government of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
The international community has condemned this heinous act. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the African Union, and the European Union have all expressed their solidarity with the victims and their families. They have called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and to address the root causes of such violence.
As Pope Francis concluded his address, he reiterated his plea for prayers for peace in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other regions affected by conflicts. The attack on the Ugandan school serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for dialogue, understanding, and concerted efforts to build a world where violence and suffering are replaced by compassion and harmony.
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