Inside the Kampala School Attack: How a Suspect Gained Access and Killed Four Children

KAMPALA, Uganda — Police in Kampala have arrested a man suspected of carrying out a deadly attack at a local early childhood center, leaving four pupils dead and sparking urgent questions about school security in the capital.

The incident occurred Thursday at Ggaba Early Childhood Day Care Centre in Makindye Division, where an unidentified man reportedly entered the premises and attacked young learners with a knife.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Racheal Kawala, confirmed the incident in a brief statement, saying authorities had taken the suspect into custody.

“The suspect has been apprehended and the motive behind the killings is still under investigation,” Kawala said.

While investigators have yet to establish a clear motive, early accounts from witnesses and community members point to a calculated sequence of events that unfolded within minutes, turning a routine school day into a scene of violence.

According to some eyewitnesses, the suspect first entered the school through the main gate, approaching the administration to inquire about admitting one of his children. Staff reportedly did not suspect any immediate threat at the time. But shortly after he left the office area, chaos erupted in the compound.

Witnesses say he deliberately targeted learners playing outside in the school yard on toy cars and bicycles. In a matter of seconds, four children were stabbed in the neck.

They allege that when the school gatekeeper attempted to stop him, the suspect hurled the knife in his direction. Other eyewitnesses claim the man jumped over the wire-mesh fence into the play area, attacking the children before teachers could reach them. By the time staff arrived, the victims were already lying scattered in a pool of blood.

The conflicting but consistent eyewitness narratives have become central to the investigation, as detectives work to reconstruct the attacker’s exact movements and determine whether there were lapses in access control at the facility.

The attack has sent shockwaves across Kampala, with parents, educators and officials raising concerns over the safety of children in private and community schools — particularly how a stranger could gain entry and move within the premises unchecked.

Outside the school, emotions quickly escalated.

Locals described a scene of horror and anger. Parents and community members rushed to the school, demanding to confront the attacker. When the school administration had locked the gates, some parents forced their way in, attempting to lynch the suspect. Police were compelled to fire warning shots to disperse the crowd before taking the suspect into custody.

Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the suspect or whether he has any known connection to the victims or the school.

The school reportedly has over 40 children enrolled. By press time, aggrieved parents were seen mourning outside, with many others pleading to access their remaining children.

Senior police leadership, including Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba, visited the scene and remained on site alongside a heavy deployment of police and military personnel. The presence underscored the sensitivity of the case and concerns over potential unrest.

Investigators are expected to review surveillance footage, interview school staff, and analyze security protocols as part of a broader inquiry into how the attack was carried out.

The headteacher has neither issued a statement nor been arrested in connection to the incident.

As families await answers, the killings have reignited debate over safeguarding measures in schools, with some parents calling for stricter access controls, background checks, and emergency preparedness protocols to prevent similar tragedies.