Kampala, Uganda: New details have emerged on the chilling Kampala daycare brutal murder, revealing that the suspect, Christopher Okello Onyu, disguised himself as a parent before launching a deadly knife attack that left four toddlers dead.
Okello, 34, who is currently detained at Kabalagala Police Station in Makindye Division, is under tight security as police intensify investigations into what is now one of the most disturbing child-related crimes in recent years.
Preliminary investigations indicate that say the suspect two days ago presented himself as a parent seeking admission for a child at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre.
On return, today, April 02, Okello again engaged school administrators, paid admission fees, and gained access to the premises without raising suspicion.
Moments later, he stepped outside, locked the gate, and turned on the children.
Eyewitnesses say he moved from one child to another, stabbing them in a calculated and brutal manner. The attack claimed the lives of four toddlers aged between one and two years.
On seeing the brutal incident, teachers raised the alarm, prompting the suspect to attempt an escape. However, he was overpowered by a security guard from a nearby church.
Angry residents quickly gathered and attempted to lynch him, forcing security forces to intervene.
Police and army officers fired warning shots to disperse the mob before whisking the suspect away to safety.
IGP, Leaders Condemn Attack
The Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, who rushed to the scene, condemned the killings and called for calm. “We call upon anyone with information about the suspect to give it to police to aid in investigations,” he said.
Local leaders also condemned the incident, describing it as a horrific act that demands swift justice.
A Disturbing Crime Pattern
The Ggaba daycare killings come against the backdrop of Uganda’s latest police crime statistics, which show that violent crimes—particularly murders—remain a serious concern.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025 released on Monday, March 28, the country recorded over 4,200 murder cases, translating to an average of more than 11 killings per day.
While the majority of these cases are linked to domestic disputes, land conflicts, and aggravated robberies, security experts say isolated but extreme acts of violence—such as the Ggaba daycare attack—highlight growing concerns about public safety and mental health.
The same report also noted an overall reduction in crime by 10.2%, but warned that serious and violent offences continue to pose a significant threat.
The incident has reignited debate about security measures at schools and daycare centres, especially regarding access control and visitor verification.
Police say investigations are ongoing to establish the suspect’s motive, background, and whether he acted alone.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
