Ugandan authorities announced today that they have arrested three suspects after the slaughter committed last week by jihadists in a high school, killing 41 people, mostly students sleeping in their dormitories.

“Three persons were arrested and are being interrogated for the attack. Details will be announced later”said Joe Walusibi, the Commissioner of Kesese District, where Lubiriha High School is located. “Pending, citizens are urged to be vigilant and provide information about the attack to the security services,” he added, without giving any details about those arrested.

The police also announced that they have 20 alleged “collaborators” arrested of the Islamist militia Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), believed to be responsible for the attack.

This organization has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, from which it receives financial support in order to expand its zone of operations.

The students’ families were today awaiting the results of DNA tests carried out to identify the victims. Some were slaughtered with machetes, others were shot or burned alive on Friday night inside this school located near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. 17 of the victims have such burns that it is not possible to identify them.

Another 15 members of the local community, including five girls, are missing.

“We are not sure if our children have been kidnapped or burned alive. We are devastated, maybe the government will give us an answer soon, we pray,” said Joseph Masika, one of the students’ teachers, after visiting morgues and hospitals in the area. “It’s a painful situation, no parent should have to go through it. We keep our hopes up that they are alive, wherever they are,” he added.

Of the 41 victims, 37 were students and the rest were school employees – including a security guard.