Kampala - The mayor of the border town in Uganda, where a school was targeted by suspected rebels, has reported that a total of 41 bodies have been found at the scene. Among the deceased are 38 students, while the remaining casualties consist of one security guard and two individuals from the local community who were shot outside the school.

The assailants, belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), targeted Lhubirira secondary school in Mpondwe, causing destruction and theft.

According to Ugandan police, the death toll from the school attack has reached 25, with the bodies being taken to Bwera Hospital. Additionally, eight individuals are in critical condition and receiving treatment at the same hospital. The police did not provide specific information about the number of deceased school children.

Authorities have reported that the attackers escaped towards Virunga National Park in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, where the military is pursuing them. In a previous incident in April, the ADF targeted a village in eastern Congo, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people.

Uganda has deployed its military forces to the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to assist in the battle against the ADF. Gunmen have targeted schools in the area before.

Recently, there has been heightened alertness among security agencies in the Rwenzori Sub-region due to renewed attacks by the ADF rebel group near the Ugandan border. Last Sunday, the rebels attacked Domena Village in Kasindi, located just a few kilometers from Uganda's border town of Mpondwe, resulting in the loss of several lives.

As a result of the violence, around 133 Congolese individuals, including women and children, sought refuge in Uganda, temporarily staying at Kabuyiri Catholic Church. However, many returned to their home country once the situation improved, while others chose to stay with relatives on the Ugandan side of the border.

The rebels have reportedly recommenced their attacks in areas that were previously stabilized through a joint military operation called Operation Shujaa, conducted by the UPDF (Ugandan People's Defense Forces) and DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) forces.

The ADF, known as the most lethal militia in eastern DRC, originally originated as a coalition of Ugandan rebels. Among its factions, the largest group consisted of Muslims who opposed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. President Museveni came into power in 1986 after leading a guerrilla warfare campaign for five years.