As Ugandan authorities scramble for answers after an extremist attack on a secondary school left 42 dead, these parents are facing a nightmare scenario, submitting DNA samples this week in an attempt to identify their children. 

Authorities in Uganda say they have detained 20 suspected collaborators in an attack on a school that killed 42 people.

The Lhubirira Secondary School’s head teacher is reportedly one of those being detained.A total of 38 students were burned or hacked to death in their dormitory by an extremist group.

Parents of the dead and missing students have submitted DNA samples hoping to identify their children.

Most of the bodies were burned or disfigured beyond recognition.

The assailants kidnapped six students, which is the only hope these parents have for seeing their children again.

The June 16 extremist attack on the children has been widely condemned internationally.

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