A quiet morning at a preschool in Uganda turned into an unimaginable nightmare when a man allegedly walked inside and unleashed a deadly attack on the youngest and most defenseless victims.
Authorities say four toddlers — all under the age of 4 — were brutally stabbed to death inside the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in Kampala on Thursday, April 2, in a massacre that has left an entire community shattered.
Police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Okello Christopher Onyum, who was arrested at the scene as chaos erupted around him.
The victims — three boys and one girl — have been named as 2-year-olds Eteku Gideon and Ryan Odeke, 3-year-old Ignatius Sserwange, and 3-year-old Kaise Alungat.
“All victims were pupils of the same daycare facility,” authorities confirmed, calling the attack a “heinous crime” as investigators scrambled to piece together what led to the bloodshed.
According to officials, the horror began just after 11 a.m., when police received reports of a man attacking children inside the school. By the time officers arrived, four toddlers were already dead.
But what happened next nearly turned into another tragedy.
Enraged parents, desperate and grief-stricken, reportedly tried to get their hands on the suspect before police intervened. Officers had to act quickly to prevent a full-blown mob from forming at the scene.
Even more chilling — investigators say the suspect had been at the school before.
Police revealed that Onyum had reportedly inquired about enrolling a child and had even paid admission fees earlier that day. Moments later, instead of leaving, he allegedly carried out the attack.
“He paid for admission and then proceeded to attack the children, killing four of them instantly,” a police spokesperson said.
Inside the daycare at the time were at least 10 other children — all of whom were safely returned to their families after the nightmare unfolded.
Authorities say the suspect is now under intense interrogation as they work to uncover a motive behind the shocking act of violence.
As the investigation continues, officials have vowed justice for the victims and their families — but for many, the damage is already irreversible.
A place meant for laughter, learning, and safety has now become the center of one of the most disturbing crimes in recent memory — leaving grieving families and a stunned nation searching for answers.