Nearly 40 pupils have been killed at a Christian school in western Uganda by rebels linked to the Islamic State group (IS).

Five militants attacked the Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe at nightime.

They entered dormitories, setting fire and using machetes to kill and maim the pupils, officials said.

Uganda’s information minister said 37 students were confirmed to have been killed, but did not give their ages.

Twenty of them were attacked with machetes and 17 of them burned to death, Chris Baryomunsi told the BBC.

Pupils in Uganda were singing gospel songs before the deadly attack, a woman who lives opposite the school says.

“Then I heard screaming,” Mary Masika told the BBC.

Ms Masika says she and other residents have been left terrified by the attack which lasted about 90 minutes.