A community in Uganda is in shock after four preschoolers were killed. The children attended Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in the Ugandan capital city of Kampala. It is still unknown why the suspect, a man in his late 30s, chose to target children, but preliminary police investigation shows that his plan was premeditated. Days before the attack, he had been to the day care under the guise of getting information to enroll a child. Instead of adding another little one to the group, however, he is accused of murdering innocent little children in cold blood. Even if police establish a motive, nothing will bring those babies back.
The attack was completely unexpected.
. @mkituuma "Today, Thursday, April 2, 2026, 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,… pic.twitter.com/k28uDnrtWN
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) April 2, 2026
Police in Ggaba got a call about an individual attacking children at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program, a day care facility in Ggaba Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala City, on April 2, 2026, the Uganda Police Force shared in a post on X. The incident took place around 11 a.m.
“Responding officers managed to arrest the suspect at the scene, identified as 39‑year‑old Okello Christopher Onyum,” police added in the post.
Four young children who attended the day care were confirmed to have died at the scene: 2-year-olds Ryan Odeke, Eteku Gideon, and Kaise Alungat, and 3-year-old Ignatius Sserwange.
Onyum is being interrogated, the police noted.
The hope is to “establish his motive, background, and any other relevant circumstances surrounding this heinous crime,” the post on X read. “The Uganda Police Force extends its deepest condolences to the affected families and assures the public that all efforts are underway to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the victims. Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.”
Naturally, parents were furious and wanted answers.
Before police could detain Onyum, angry parents reportedly tried to lynch him, police spokesperson Racheal Kawala told AFP, per the BBC.
The BBC reported that videos of the aftermath began circulating on social media. Many videos were of distressed and concerned parents trying to locate their children and get any information they could.
According to Kawala, Onyum had recently visited Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program School, inquiring about enrolling a child. He was told to return on Thursday, which was the day the crime took place.
He apparently gained access under false pretenses.
“He paid for admission [and] after that proceeded and attacked these children, killing four of them instantly,” the police spokesperson said.
The 10 other children attending the day care at the time were handed over to their parents. Police Chief Abas Byakagaba visited the school after the tragedy and urged people to remain calm as police continued their investigation.
According to a report from Aljazzera citing Daily Monitor, a local newspaper, the man “briefly engaged the administrator in charge” before he “stepped outside, locked the gate, and began attacking the children one after another.” Police had to fire shots into the air to get the angry crowd to disperse after news of the killings spread.
