Deadly child day care attack in Kampala: What we know so far

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DEADLY CHILD DAYCARE ATTACK

7:18 pm

Ggaba school slain children are aged between 1 and 3 years — Police

The four children slain to death on Thursday (April 2), a few hours after they reported to a day care centre in Kampala, are aged between one and three years.

All the murdered children were hacked to death by a man who raided the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in the Kampala suburbs on Thursday morning.

Police at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program School. (Courtesy: X/@PoliceUg)

At the time, some of the children were on the swings in the playground.

Uganda Police Force spokesman Rusoke Kituuma revealed that security dashed to the scene, "at around 1100 hours, the Police in Ggaba responded to a distress call reporting an individual allegedly attacking children at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program, a daycare centre located in Ggaba Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala City.

Uganda Police Force spokesman Rusoke Kituuma. (File photo)

The police have named the deceased, who include a girl, as:

- Eteku Gideon (aged approximately 2 years)

- Ryan Odeke, a boy said to be about 2 years old

- Ignatius Sserwange (about 3 years old)

- Kaise Alungat, a girl (aged about 2 years)

The main suspect in the gruesome murders has since been named as Christopher Okello Onyum, aged 39, detained at Kabalagala Police Station.

Uganda Police Force, in a statement issued on Thursday evening, assured the public that all efforts are underway to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the victims.

"The suspect is currently under interrogation as investigations continue to establish his motive, background, and any other relevant circumstances surrounding this heinous crime," reads a statement from the police.

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6:01 pm

The suspect in Kampala kindergarten multiple murder had sought admission.

Ggaba school suspected murderer. (Courtesy photo: X/@PoliceUg)

Police have identified the key suspect in the Thursday (April 2) macabre killing of four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Day Care Centre in Kampala.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed four toddlers, one girl and three boys, were murdered by 39-year-old suspect Christopher Okello.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Rachael Kawala. (File)

“The motive behind Okello’s actions remains unknown, but investigations have been launched. The suspect is currently detained at Kabalagala Police Station,” Kawala told the media.

It has since emerged that Okello was a resident of Nwoya district, but it was not clear whether he was a resident of Ggaba, where the incident took place.

Those killed include Ryan Odeke (1.5years), Gideon Eteko (2.5years), Aimat Kesha (2-years) and Ignatius Sserunyange (2.5years).

It has since emerged that the key suspect arrested in connection with the brutal murder of the four kids first came to the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program school on Tuesday and asked for a vacancy.

However, since it was late, he was asked to come back on Thursday.

Ggaba Early Childhood Day Care Centre in Kampala where the killing of four toddlers took place. (Courtesy; X/@PoliceUg)

According to eyewitnesses, the suspects arrived on Thursday at around 9:30 am and even paid the sh180,000, which was the admission fee.

However, as he left the school administrator's office, the suspect gained entrance into the school day care section that had 14 children but was unmanned, pulled out a knife and started stabbing the children.



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1:50 pm

Four children have been confirmed dead in a raid at a child daycare and primary school in Ggaba in Kampala's suburbs.

Initial reports indicate that a middle-aged man armed with a machete raided the childhood centre at Maranatha Community Church and forced entry into one of the rooms where he attacked the minors.

The daycare shares a compound with a church.  

Uganda Police Force preliminary reports indicate that more than four children were hacked on Thursday morning.

Ggaba school suspected murderer. (Courtesy)

The suspect has since been nabbed after police rescued him from a mob which threatened to kill him.

The Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, at the crime scene.

A lady being consoled after the shocking incident.