A man armed with a sharp weapon killed four children at a nursery school in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, in a rare and deeply disturbing attack, police said Thursday.
The victims, one girl and three boys, were attacked at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program school in Makindye Division, according to authorities. The suspect, identified as a 34-year-old man, is in custody as investigators work to establish a motive.
Police said the suspect gained access to the school by posing as a parent, allowing him to move freely within the compound before launching the attack.
According to local reports, the man initially entered administrative offices and briefly spoke with staff before stepping outside. He then allegedly locked the school gate, isolating those inside, and began attacking children one after another.
“The suspect brutally stabbed and killed four juveniles,” police said in a statement posted on X, confirming the incident and ongoing investigation.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene as the attacker moved through the premises. The number of children initially targeted remains unclear, though officials confirmed four fatalities at the scene.
Suspect arrested
The attack was eventually stopped by a security guard from a nearby church, who intervened and helped subdue the suspect before police arrived.
Authorities confirmed the man was taken into custody without being killed, despite an angry crowd gathering near the school shortly afterward. Some witnesses said police fired shots into the air to disperse residents who attempted to attack the suspect.
Footage broadcast by local television showed distraught parents and community members gathered outside the school, many visibly shaken and in tears.
Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala told local media that investigators are working to determine the suspect’s intentions and whether the attack was premeditated.
Violent attacks of this nature are highly unusual in Kampala, a city of about three million people. The incident has sparked widespread concern about safety in schools and public spaces.
Authorities have urged calm as investigations continue, promising updates as more details become available.
The tragedy has also reignited conversations around school security measures, particularly in early childhood institutions where young children are most vulnerable.
Officials say additional security reviews may be conducted across schools in Kampala following the incident, as the city grapples with the aftermath of a tragedy that has left families grieving and a nation searching for answers.
