Katumba Parents’ Humanist Primary School has been affected by a resurgence of the troubles of 2016, when 100 parents were killed in a local uprising. New unrest, in the past few weeks, in Bundibugyo and Kasese Districts, has left 8 Katumba Primary School parents dead. Their children are left without parental care and support and with nobody to provide for their food, shelter or schooling.
The assailants were armed with machetes, bows, arrows, and guns while dressed in civilian clothing. They were local young men, bearing grievances going back many years to colonial times, over land rights and autonomy. They were led by a witch doctor who offered them protection by giving them a “magic invincibility medicine”. They attacked police and army posts. However, as is always the case many innocent people were harmed, leaving severe loss of life and widespread suffering. Ugandan security forces killed 24 of the attackers and arrested 33 others.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the incident has caused deep emotional trauma among survivors, displacement of families, and a decline in community trust. The event has also placed additional strain on local authorities, social services, and humanitarian organizations in the area.
The school tries hard to create an island of reason and human kindness in a troubled area. At this difficult time, Katumba needs and would welcome additional support from Humanist well-wishers.
Katumba parents and children in happier times
The attacks represent an escalation in long-standing tensions associated with groups linked to the Rwenzururu movement. Their ultimate objective is the secession of a section of the Bakonzo ethnic group to create a separate Yiira Republic. The Ugandan government has consistently maintained that this goal is “impossible,” though it remains a key driver of the militia activity. The Bamba people, a minority group that lives mainly in the Bundibugyo area have been the target of violence because they strongly oppose the separatist scheme.
The Uganda government sought to appease the protests by giving greater autonomy to Kasese and Bundibugyo districts and conferring official recognition on the Rwenzururu Kingdom in 2009. Sadly, remaining disputes over land rights have led to the troubles rumbling on. They leave Katumba School, sitting in an area of instability, having to cope with the consequences of matters which are beyond their control.
Katumba school hit by local unrest
Posted: November 5, 2025 by Steve Hurd
Katumba Parents’ Humanist Primary School has been affected by a resurgence of the troubles of 2016, when 100 parents were killed in a local uprising. New unrest, in the past few weeks, in Bundibugyo and Kasese Districts, has left 8 Katumba Primary School parents dead. Their children are left without parental care and support and with nobody to provide for their food, shelter or schooling.
The assailants were armed with machetes, bows, arrows, and guns while dressed in civilian clothing. They were local young men, bearing grievances going back many years to colonial times, over land rights and autonomy. They were led by a witch doctor who offered them protection by giving them a “magic invincibility medicine”. They attacked police and army posts. However, as is always the case many innocent people were harmed, leaving severe loss of life and widespread suffering. Ugandan security forces killed 24 of the attackers and arrested 33 others.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the incident has caused deep emotional trauma among survivors, displacement of families, and a decline in community trust. The event has also placed additional strain on local authorities, social services, and humanitarian organizations in the area.
The school tries hard to create an island of reason and human kindness in a troubled area. At this difficult time, Katumba needs and would welcome additional support from Humanist well-wishers.
The attacks represent an escalation in long-standing tensions associated with groups linked to the Rwenzururu movement. Their ultimate objective is the secession of a section of the Bakonzo ethnic group to create a separate Yiira Republic. The Ugandan government has consistently maintained that this goal is “impossible,” though it remains a key driver of the militia activity. The Bamba people, a minority group that lives mainly in the Bundibugyo area have been the target of violence because they strongly oppose the separatist scheme.
The Uganda government sought to appease the protests by giving greater autonomy to Kasese and Bundibugyo districts and conferring official recognition on the Rwenzururu Kingdom in 2009. Sadly, remaining disputes over land rights have led to the troubles rumbling on. They leave Katumba School, sitting in an area of instability, having to cope with the consequences of matters which are beyond their control.
Category: News