The apprehended suspect Okello Christopher Onyum
KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan police have arrested a 39-year-old suspect accused of killing four young children in a brutal attack at a daycare center in the capital, Kampala, authorities said on Thursday.
The suspect, identified as Okello Christopher Onyum, is alleged to have carried out the attack at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in Makindye Division.
Police said the victims — all toddlers aged between 2 and 3 years — were pupils at the same facility.
The deceased were identified as Eteku Gideon, Kaise Alungat, Ignatius Sserwange and Ryan Odeke.
Preliminary investigations indicate the attacker gained access to the premises before launching the assault.
Authorities have not yet established a motive, and the suspect remains in custody undergoing interrogation as investigations continue.
The incident has shocked residents in Kampala, where such attacks on children are considered rare.
Police were deployed to the scene to control an angry crowd that gathered shortly after the attack, with some attempting to confront the suspect, according to authorities.
Rising concerns despite overall crime drop
The killing comes against the backdrop of mixed crime trends in Uganda.
According to the Uganda Police Force’s Annual Crime Report 2024, overall reported crime decreased by 4.1%, from 228,074 cases in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024.
However, violent crime — particularly homicides — has shown a worrying pattern.
Police recorded 4,329 homicide cases in 2024, a 1.9% increase from the previous year.
The report indicates that an average of about 12 people were killed daily across the country last year, with causes ranging from assault and domestic violence to mob action and shootings.
Children have not been spared.
Separate police data shows that hundreds of minors were among those killed in 2024, highlighting their vulnerability in violent incidents.
Security experts attribute persistent violent crime to factors including domestic disputes, land conflicts, youth unemployment and substance abuse, even as authorities cite improved community policing and digitization for the overall decline in crime.
Investigations into the daycare killings are ongoing, with police expected to provide further details on the suspect’s background and possible motive.
