A man wielding a machete attacked children at the Gaba Early Childhood Development Program in Kampala, Uganda, on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of four juveniles, according to police reports.
The assailant reportedly gained entry to the nursery school by posing as a parent, according to the Daily Monitor newspaper. After a brief interaction with the school administrator, the man locked the school gate from the outside and proceeded to attack the children.
“The suspect brutally stabbed and killed four juveniles,” a police statement confirmed. The identities of the victims have not yet been released by authorities.
News of the attack quickly drew a crowd of distraught parents to the school. Video footage broadcast by NTV Uganda showed scenes of intense grief, with parents weeping and attempting to learn the fate of their children. Police intervened to disperse the gathering, reportedly firing warning shots into the air to prevent a potential lynching of the suspect.
Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke confirmed to the Associated Press that the suspect was taken into custody following the incident. Authorities have not yet released a motive for the attack, and an investigation is underway.
The attack is considered highly unusual for Kampala, a city with a population of approximately 3 million. While Uganda has experienced periods of political instability and violence, attacks targeting young children are rare. The Gaba Early Childhood Development Program is a well-established school in the area, serving families from various backgrounds.
Local authorities have increased security around schools in Kampala following the incident, though no specific threat assessments have been publicly released. The Ugandan Ministry of Education has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the attack, but officials have indicated they are cooperating fully with the police investigation.
The suspect is currently being held at a Kampala police station, and authorities have not announced a timeline for potential charges or a court appearance. The investigation is focused on determining the attacker’s identity, background, and the reasons behind the horrific act.
