Four Minors Killed in Ggaba Daycare Center Attack; Suspect Apprehended

Ugandan police have arrested a 39-year-old suspect following a fatal attack at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in Kampala. Four children were confirmed dead in the Thursday morning incident.

A cloud of grief has settled over Ggaba Parish in Makindye Division following a horrific attack at a local daycare center on Thursday morning that left four young children dead. The Uganda Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a 39-year-old man in connection with the incident, which has sent shockwaves through the capital city.

The Incident

The tragedy unfolded at approximately 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program. According to official reports, local police responded to an urgent distress call from the facility, where an individual was allegedly attacking children enrolled in the daycare program.

Responding officers arrived at the scene to find a scene of chaos and profound distress. Law enforcement acted swiftly to secure the premises and apprehended the suspect, identified as Okello Christopher Onyum, aged 39.

The Victims

Preliminary findings from the scene confirm the tragic loss of four minors, all of whom were pupils at the facility. The victims, ranging in age from two to three years old, have been identified by the authorities as:

• Eteku Gideon, male juvenile, aged approximately 02 years.

• Kaise Alungat, female juvenile, aged approximately 02 years.

• Ignatius Sserwange, male juvenile, aged approximately 03 years.

• Ryan Odeke, male juvenile, aged approximately 02 years.

Medical teams and forensic experts remained at the site for several hours following the attack to process the scene. The loss of such young lives has sparked an outpouring of condolences from the community and across social media.

Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program.

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The suspect, Okello Christopher Onyum, was taken into custody immediately and is currently being held for interrogation. Criminal investigators are working to establish a motive for the attack, as well as delving into the suspect’s background and any potential history of mental health issues or prior criminal activity.

“The Uganda Police Force extends its deepest condolences to the affected families during this unimaginably difficult time,” a police spokesperson stated on Thursday afternoon. “We assure the public that all necessary resources are being deployed to ensure a thorough investigation. Our goal is to ensure that justice is served for these innocent victims.”

The daycare facility remains cordoned off as a crime scene while detectives gather evidence and interview staff members who were present during the incident.

Community Impact

Ggaba Parish, typically a bustling residential and commercial hub in the Makindye Division, has seen an increased security presence following the attack. Local leaders have called for calm as the police continue their work, while also advocating for enhanced security measures at early childhood education centers across the city.

Further updates from the Uganda Police Force are expected as the interrogation of the suspect yields more information regarding the circumstances of this heinous crime.