Kampala, Uganda — The assailant who stormed the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program Centre and stabbed at least four children to death had visited the school two days ago seeking admission for his child, before killing the children.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Racheal Kawala, identified the assailant as Christopher Okello Onyu, 34, from Nwoya district, who gained access to Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre on Thursday and brutally stabbed and killed four minors, three boys and one girl out of 14 children who were in the school.
Police identified the deceased infants as Ryan Odeke, 1.5 years old, Judeon Eteko, 2.5 years old, Keisha Alungat, 2 years old, and Egnious Sseruyange, 2 years old. Their bodies have been taken to the City Mortuary Mulago for post-mortem examination before being handed over to the grieving parents for burial.
Police preliminary findings indicate that the assailant, armed with three knives, is currently detained at Kabalagala Police Division. He had visited the same school two days ago and requested admission for his child.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
"The school told him to return today, and he returned with the money for the admission which he paid. After paying, he pretended to be someone who was leaving the school but took a different direction, to the seesaw where the children were playing, and started stabbing the little ones," Kawala said at the scene of the crime.
The suspect was saved from being lynched by security, as police and army fired bullets to disperse angry residents seeking mob justice.
Mark Bayingana, Deputy Resident City Commissioner of Makindye, noted the unclear circumstances surrounding the killer's undetected entry into the premises and access to the children's area despite school security presence.
Some parents of surviving children, including Karim Kazibwe, expressed grief, saying it's painful to see innocent young children killed brutally. He noted that only God saved more children, and the assailant's motive seemed to be to kill all of them.
Stanely Okecho, the school's administration lawyer, said they are collaborating with police to investigate the killer's motive. He expressed sorrow over the killings and announced that the school will be closed temporarily as investigations continue.
The Inspector General of Police, Abass Byakagaba, who rushed to the scene, called for calm as security conducted investigations into the gruesome murder.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
