President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry of Finance to compensate the families of students killed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) at Kichwamba Technical School.
On June 8, 1998, ADF rebels attacked Kichwamba Technical Institute in Kabarole, Uganda, setting three dormitories on fire and killing 80 students. The rebels also abducted 100 students and destroyed school property, including laboratories and vehicles.
The attackers locked students inside their dormitories before setting them ablaze. Twenty-seven students, burned beyond recognition, were buried in a mass grave on the college grounds, with their names inscribed on the memorial. Some students managed to escape and survive the attack.
“I have received a letter dated July 25, 2024, regarding compensation for the children who were killed at Kichwamba Technical School by the ADF. The letter states that the statute of limitations no longer allows the government to compensate the families,” Museveni said.
However, Museveni emphasized that the statute of limitations should not apply in this case due to the severity of the tragedy and the passage of time.
“In that case, I use my powers as President to authorize an ex-gratia payment to the families. Each should receive Shs 15 million, given the long time since the incident occurred. The Ministry of Finance should budget for this money,” he stated in a letter to the ministry.
