11 Students Shot Dead In Park Attack

By Milton Olupot And Kezio Musoke EIGHT students of the Jimmy Ssekasi Institute of Catering, and the institute founder and director, Mr Jimmy Ssekasi, were yesterday shot dead in an ambush near Pakuba, between Paraa and Pakwach in Murchison Falls National Park. The Police and the 4th Division Army Public Relations Officer, Khelil Magara, said yesterday the attack was carried out by unknown gunmen at about 9.00am as the students were leaving Paraa Lodge for a tour a of the park. Two other students were seriously injured and two are reported missing. The group was travelling in two vehicles, UAJ 599 and another driven by Ssekasi. Mr. Ssegona Matovu, the instructor food production at the institute, said 20 students, Ssekasi and the van driver, left on Monday morning for a study tour of the park. The dead were yesterday identified by Police as Justine Nanyondo, Jackie Kivumbi, Joel Nsubuga, Eddy Kanyike, Aaron Nakiryowa, Margaret Namusoke, Audrey Bagenzi and Stella Zalwango. The army spokesman, Lt. Col. Phinehas Katirima, said the bodies which were in Masindi Hospital mortuary by last evening were expected to be in Mulago this morning. The mood was tense at the institute as family members flocked in to ascertain the state of their relatives. Staff, students and parents mourned as more information was received. Two students, Susan Abenalyo and Geofrey Okach, are reportedly admitted to Masindi Hospital in critical condition. Willy Okello and Jackson Lalonyo are still missing and are suspected to have run away. The survivors are Kulusum Nakirenda, Itahdya Nalabi, Grace Angeo, Rose Nanyange, Esther Nakanwagi and Lydia Nabatanzi. Matovu said they were expected to be flown to Bombo Barracks last evening. Magara said a game warden was also killed during the attack. He said the army rushed in to assess the situation, but had not reported back. Ends