By Andrew Irumba
Kabarole: On Monday, June 8, 1998, rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), raided Uganda Technical College Kichwamba in Kabarole District and burnt 80 students alive in three dormitories and abducted 100 others.
But before that year, in 1997, ADF had an attempt to attack Kicwamba but they had poor intelligence and found students had already gone for holidays. Instead, they attacked a nearby trading centre called Kihondwa at night and looted food and some goats from the locals on top of killing people.
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After the attack, between 80 -150 students were missing and many were feared to have been taken captives by the ADF bandits. The student enrollment at Kichwamba was 420.
Ever since then, the government under President Museveni’s leadership promised to compensate survivors of this tragedy but this has not been fulfilled for the past 23 years ago.
It is from this background that the victims of this attack request President Museveni to meet them and curb further postponements of the matter as it has been noticed in the previous years which has since driven them out of patience hence to start thinking otherwise against the government.
The survivors raised their outcry in the letter addressed to the President’s office, It Reads;
“RE: COMPENSATING THE VICTIMS OF THE ATTACK OF THE KICHWAMBA BY ADF REBELS ON 8TH JUNE 1998
We thank you for the work that you are doing as the Head of State which is not an easy task. We also appreciate the effort that you have put in especially when it comes to the fulfilment of the pledges, that you make to various people with various considerations.
On 20th January 2001 at Njara Presidential Lodge you promised to compensate us after the elections On 9th April 2013, the Chairman LCV of Kabarole District also wrote to you reminding you of the above issue.
On 9th September 2013, our delegation met you at your country home Rwakitura on the same matter where you directed Afande Nalweyiso but it is still pending;
Five billion compensation to the survivor and the families.
Two billion to create a financial scheme.
Your excellence we request to have a meeting with you at your convenience.
Your survivors,
Alimanya Chris……Leader
Katuramu Julius……Secretary
Muhenda Deo…..Member
Chance George William….Member
Bagonza Christopher…. Member”
