KAMPALA, June 20 (Reuters) - Parents of students missing after an attack on a school in western Uganda are flocking to the local police station to submit DNA samples that could identify their children among the 42 bodies that have been recovered.
Assailants set a dormitory full of boys alight, then attacked a dormitory full of girls, hacking victims to death with machetes and knives.
Regional police commander Tai Ramadhan said many of the dead bodies were charred beyond recognition, forcing investigators to use DNA samples from relatives to try to identify them.
Simon Kule, who had come to Bwera Police Station to give a DNA sample, was still looking for his son, Philmon Mumbere.
Authorities said on Monday that 20 suspected "collaborators" of the attackers, including the school's head teacher, had been detained for questioning.
Persons:
Tai Ramadhan, Simon Kule, Philmon, Solomon Mulekya, Trephine, Elias Biryabarema, Aaron Ross, Peter Graff
Organizations:
Lhubirira Secondary, Islamic, Regional, Bwera Police, Authorities, Thomson
Locations:
KAMPALA, Uganda, Islamic State, Democratic Republic of Congo