Four children were killed on Thursday morning in a stabbing incident at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program school in Makindye Division, Kampala City.
The Uganda Police Force has since confirmed that a male suspect whose identitiy remains unknown has been apprehended and that investigations into the motive are ongoing.
In a statement released by the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, the man stabbed four children, killing them on the spot and survived lynching by angry locals.
“A male suspect brutally stabbed and killed four juveniles. The suspect has been apprehended, and the motive behind the killings is still under investigation. Further details will be provided in due course.” She said
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspect initially entered the school through the main gate, seeking to admit one of his children. Upon leaving, he reportedly attacked learners in the play area, stabbing four children in the neck. The victims were on toy cars and bicycles when the attack occurred. Some witnesses allege that the suspect jumped over the school’s wire-mesh fence before launching the assault, while others report that the gatekeeper was targeted when attempting to intervene.
Teachers and staff arrived at the scene but were unable to prevent the killings, with the children found lying in a pool of blood.
Angry parents and residents attempted to access the school and confront the suspect. The administration reportedly locked the gates, prompting some parents to force entry. Police were compelled to fire warning shots to disperse the crowd before arresting the suspect.
IGP Abbas Byakagaba arrived at the school and oversaw security operations, with additional police and military personnel deployed to the scene. Parents of surviving children were visibly distressed, with many struggling to access their children. The school reportedly has an enrolment of over 40 pupils.
The headteacher has not yet released a statement.