Lux Primary and Secondary School Closed After Brutal Murder of Two Girls in Omoro

Omoro District, Uganda — Lux Primary and Secondary School, located in Labora Central village, Labora Sub-county, has been shut down following the horrific murder of two female students in the school’s dormitory.

The victims, identified as Gladys Gune, 16, a Senior Two student, and Gloria Anzoa, 14, a Primary Three pupil—both from Adjumani District—were reportedly attacked by unknown assailants between the night of April 17 and the early morning of April 18. The attackers allegedly beat the girls, broke their necks, and then set their bodies and belongings on fire, burning them beyond recognition.

The closure of the school was confirmed by Rev. Vincent Oceng Ocen in an interview with Uganda Radio Network on Tuesday. He said the decision was taken on Friday to allow for thorough investigations into the tragic incident.

Preliminary findings suggest the school dormitory was operating illegally, without inspection or approval from the district education department. Rev. Oceng noted that the attackers forcibly entered the girls’ dormitory before committing the gruesome act.

According to sources, the deceased were the only female boarders who had stayed behind for the Easter holiday, while five male boarders had returned home. The school had a total of seven students in the boarding section.

Aswa West Police Spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, confirmed that a key suspect is currently in custody at Omoro Central Police Station and has confessed to the crime. Additional arrests include the acting school director, the school watchman, and the chairperson of the boda boda riders association in Labora Trading Centre.

The incident has triggered widespread concern over the safety of boarding facilities in Omoro. Labora Sub-County Chairperson, Francis Ojok, expressed shock, stating the sub-county was unaware that the school had a boarding section. The institution was registered as a private day school with no official clearance to host boarders.

Ojok described the assailants’ method of entry, revealing they bypassed security by climbing over a perimeter wall and smashing through the dormitory wall with a heavy stone. He added that the school matron was absent at the time and has since gone missing.

Postmortem results indicate that both girls were severely beaten before their necks were broken. Police are yet to release a full forensic report.

The school, which has been in operation for only two years, offered nursery, primary, and lower secondary education, with an enrollment of 88 learners.

The Omoro District security committee has convened to address the incident and discuss broader measures to safeguard students in boarding schools across the district.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.