A community in Ggaba and surrounding areas of Munyonyo and Bunga has been left reeling after a tragic incident in which a man attacked a nursery/daycare school, leaving multiple children dead.
According to preliminary reports by immediate bystanders, the suspect identified as Christopher Okello arrived on a boda boda before climbing over the school identified as fence to gain access to the premises.
He then entered one of the classrooms with a panga, where he carried out a violent assault on four infants slitting their throats and stabbing others.
Authorities have confirmed the number of lives lost in the attack, however the exact circumstances are still under investigation at the daycare centre.
Witnesses say the incident unfolded rapidly, causing panic among pupils and staff, some children reportedly fled in fear, while others were secured by school authorities and later by responding officers.
Police who were alerted shortly after the attack, arrived quickly to contain the situation.
“i Just heard screaming and people running, followed by loud gunshots, one of the police vehicles that came to the rescue overturned as people started collecting tyres to set them on fire,” said Mr Tugume John who had gone to pick some things from the market.
Mr Tugume who sustained several injuries from falling as he attempted to dodge the teargas canisters and the security officials who were allegedly wiping people around, described the scene as gruesome and terrifying.
Being a market day, the area was more populated than usual, and within a short time, a large rowdy crowd had gathered
Residents described hearing gunshots that lasted over an hour as police also deployed teargas in an attempt to disperse the angry crowd that was gathering around the crime scene.
“Police had stopped us from moving, they blocked all roads in and out of the area and started firing bullets in the air and throwing cans of teargas at us” a market vendor who preferred anonymity told this site.
Following the incident, the suspect attempted to escape by Jumping over the fence again and making his way toward the Ggaba landing site, where he tried to flee using a nearby boat.
However, law enforcement officers from the marine unit were able apprehend him.
The suspect who is now in police custody was described as a middle-aged man that was not familiar to the residents of the community
Authorities have not yet established a clear motive for the attack as Investigations proceed, with police working to piece together the suspect’s movements, possible connections to the school, and any prior warning signs that may have been missed.
In the aftermath, the school’s director was taken in for questioning as part of standard investigative procedures and Police is also on the hunt for the gate keeper of the school who allegedly disappeared during the course of events.
The remaining infants have been placed in a safe and secure location under police supervision as authorities coordinate with parents and guardians to ensure the children are safely reunited with their families.
Residents have called for increased security measures, including better perimeter controls and stricter monitoring of who enters school grounds.
Police have urged the public to remain calm and appealed to anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist with inquiries.
By press time, the number of kids who lost their lives were unverified, however neighbours revealed that atleast four kids were victims.
