Kampala, Uganda: A horrific machete attack at a church-run nursery school in Kampala has left four young children dead and sent shockwaves across Uganda.
The incident occurred on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in Makindye Division. The victims, three boys and one girl aged between two and three years old, were brutally stabbed and killed inside the school premises.
According to police, the suspect — identified as 39-year-old Okello Christopher Onyu — had visited the school two days earlier inquiring about enrolling a child. On Thursday morning, he returned, paid the admission fee, and gained access by posing as a parent. He then locked the gate, trapping the children and staff inside, before launching the attack around 11:00 a.m. using a machete and knives.
Several other children sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Ten children who were present at the time were safely reunited with their families.
The suspect was apprehended by a security guard from a nearby church after angry parents attempted to lynch him. Police intervened and took him into custody. His motive remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing to establish his background and any other relevant circumstances.
Uganda Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed the details, describing the attack as a “tragic incident.” The bodies of the four deceased children have been taken to the mortuary.
Church officials and the local community expressed profound grief, with many describing the attack as “unimaginable and heartbreaking.” Parents have called for urgent improvements in security at schools and daycare centres across the country.
While such violent attacks on schools are rare in Uganda, this incident has intensified concerns about the safety of young children in educational facilities. Authorities have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and promised to provide further updates.
As Kampala mourns the loss of its youngest residents, families, residents, and leaders continue to grapple with grief, anger, and questions over how such a tragedy could occur in a nursery setting.
