Kampala — AN American missionary couple and a technical school student were killed at their home in Yumbe on Thursday night.

Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi yesterday said the Police was trying to establish the motive of the murder.

He said unconfirmed reports said the attackers were Joseph Kony's LRA rebels. He could not, however, rule out thuggery.

He identified the victims as Warren and Donna Pett and Isaac Jurugo. An unidentified student was injured and several buildings burnt down in the 10:00pm attack.

Items stolen from the Americans were recovered a kilometre away.

A German missionary reportedly survived after she gave money to the assailants.

"The thugs, numbering over seven, were dressed in army uniform and armed with SMG rifles and spoke the local Aringa dialect," she said.

The couple was working with Here is Life organisation linked to Africa Inland Mission based at Eyeke in Romogi sub-county. They were developing an agriculture department at the school.

Africa Inland Mission deputy executive officer William Stough said Here is Life was also training pastors and medical workers. The NGO works with the Church of Uganda.

Mugenyi said the assailants burnt 12 huts in the neighbourhood.

The American Embassy office in Kampala said it had no information about the murder.