By Annet Nakanwagi and Mary Blessing Ahairiirwe,
KAMPALA
The police has said they are to carry out additional DNA test on samples of six unidentified bodies of Lhubiriha School students burnt beyond recognition in the boy’s dormitory, during the tragic attack by suspected ADF rebels on June 16, 2023.
While addressing a joint security press at the police headquarters in Naguru, the Spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga said forensic experts from the directorate of forensics services working together with the joint medical teams from Police and UPDF obtained biological samples of 17 unidentified bodies and from relatives who were missing their children and an additional 18th body that was recovered from the DRC and immediately submitted them to the forensic lab for DNA analysis.
According to him, from the submitted 18 samples, results of only 11 burnt students have matched and their remains will be handed over to their relatives at Bwera hospital Kasese on Tuesday 27th June, 2023 to enable them process burial arrangements.
“Out of the 18 samples, we have matched samples of 11 and 6 of them are still pending,” Enanga revealed.
Police listed the matched DNA test results as for;
•Tumuhamye Amos (17), whose samples matched the parent Owomuhangi Rosette
•Muhindo Brian (17) matched Bira Sylvia
•Mumbere Samuel (16) matched those of Baluku Yasin
•Muhindo Charles (18) was matched with those of Kahindo Grace
•Kule Morias (17) samples matched those of Bira Rosemary
•Masereka Joas (17) matched with those of Muhindo Rebecca
•Masereka Salazia (19) matched those of Shakimwa Anyess
•Byamukama Joab (15) matched those of Mbabazi Wilson and Tumuhise Christine
•Bwambale Onesmus (17) matched those of Itungo Jane
•Muhindo Isaac (16) matched those of Kule Ngidona
•Mumbere Felix (16) matched those of Kabugo Pelegina.
Enanga who disclosed that the death toll in Kasese ADF attack have now risen to 44 further urged the parents of the six children whose samples are still unidentified to link up with the forensic teams for additional sample tests.
“We have managed to contact more relatives to come forward so that we obtain additional samples. The reason for this is to continue helping us in the matching and comparison process, so we are calling upon relatives of those whose bodies haven’t been identified to send their biological mothers, maternal aunts and all maternal grandparents to Bwera police station tomorrow at around 10a.m for further sampling”, Enanga said.
Burial arrangements of the deceased are being conducted by government through the Ministry of Education and Sports.
