The rebels locked students in their dormitories and set them on fire. Twenty seven students who were burnt beyond recognition were buried in a mass grave inside the college and the grave bears all their names. some Students escaped and survived the attack. [5]
Background
The attack took place during a period of intense insurgency activity by the Allied Democratic Forces in western Uganda. The ADF, a rebel group operating in the region since the mid-1990s, had been conducting various attacks against civilian and military targets as part of their campaign against the Ugandan government.[5]
The Attack
In the early morning hours of 8 June 1998, ADF rebels stormed the Kichwamba Technical Institute campus. The attackers set fire to three student dormitories, trapping many students inside. The flames quickly engulfed the buildings, killing 80 students who were unable to escape.[6] In addition to the deaths, the rebels abducted approximately 100 students and destroyed other campus facilities, including laboratories and equipment.[4][7]
The attack was allegedly carried out under the command of Jamil Mukulu, a prominent ADF leader who was later captured and faced international criminal charges for his role in various atrocities committed by the group.[5]
Aftermath
The massacre sent shockwaves throughout Uganda and the international community. It highlighted the vulnerability of educational institutions in conflict zones and the brutal tactics employed by the ADF against civilian populations, particularly targeting young people.[8]
Government Response
The Ugandan government intensified military operations against the ADF following the attack. Security measures at educational institutions across the country were also enhanced to prevent similar incidents.[4]
Compensation Issues
As of 2022, survivors and families of victims were still awaiting government compensation promised in the aftermath of the attack. The delay in compensation payments has remained a contentious issue, with affected families continuing to call for justice and financial support.[5]
Legacy
The Kichwamba massacre remains one of the most tragic incidents in Uganda's recent history. It served as a stark reminder of the impact of armed conflict on educational institutions and civilian populations. The attack is often referenced in discussions about the ADF's brutal campaign and the broader security challenges faced by Uganda in the late 1990s.[8]
The massacre was recalled in 2023 following another school attack at Mpondwe Lhubiriha Secondary School, which marked the first ADF attack on a Ugandan school in 25 years since Kichwamba.[6]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
