The prime suspect in last week's gruesome slaughter attack at a daycare centre in Makindye Division, had previously murdered a child in a separate incident but got away with it, a woman has told police.
According to Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, the suspect—identified as Christopher Okello Onyuma—is currently undergoing processing, with authorities moving to formally advance the case.
“The suspect is being processed. His file will be submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for perusal and advice,” Rusoke said.
“There is a video of a woman who alleges that the suspect murdered her child and somehow got off the hook. We have picked interest in that matter too. It is our ultimate objective to see that the victims get justice and hold the perpetrator accountable.”
Rusoke’s remarks mark the latest development following the suspect’s arrest on Thursday after a brutal attack at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, SP Racheal Kawala, the suspect poised as a parent seeking to enrol a child at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division, Kampala, and inquired about the fees structure. But after leaving office, entered a classroom with 14 pupils and carried out the attack on Thursday, fatally ending the lives of four young children.
“Preliminary findings indicate the suspect came to this place seeking admission and was told to return to the school today. He paid for admission before proceeding to stab the children,” SP Kawala said on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as Ryan Odeke, aged one and a half years, Gideon Eteko, aged two and a half years, Keisha Elungat, aged two, and Ignatius Sseruyange, aged two.
An eyewitness, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the Nile Post on Thursday that the attacker moved swiftly from the office into a nearby classroom before carrying out the assault.
“He asked about the school fees structure and was given a circular before he moved out of the office and entered into one of the nearby classrooms which had 14 pupils. He then started stabbing the pupils, killing four instantly,” the eyewitness said.
Following the attack, tensions escalated as members of the public gathered at the scene, attempting to lynch the suspect. Police intervened and fired warning shots into the air to disperse the irate crowd and secure the suspect.
SP Kawala confirmed that the suspect has since been arrested and that investigations are ongoing to establish the motive behind the killings.
“The suspect has been apprehended and the motive behind the killings is still under investigation,” she said.
Following a visit to the school on Friday, State Minister for Education John Chrysostom Muyingo ordered the immediate closure of all schools operating under the Maranatha education programme, which includes three schools managed by Ggaba Community Church—namely, Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, Ggaba Primary School, and Ggaba Secondary School—adding that, “a comprehensive report on what transpired must be submitted without delay.”
During a memorial service held at Ggaba Community Church on Monday, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, stated that the earlier closure was supposed to affect institutions that were not directly affected by the crime scene, adding that the government is not supposed to oppress its citizens, and apologised for the closure of the two other institutions.
Balaam, however, specified that the daycare centre is still a crime scene and shall remain closed until further notice. He later conveyed condolences from President Museveni and offered financial assistance of Shs 10 million from the Head of State’s office to each of the bereaved families.
In a further development, President Museveni directed that the case be handled expeditiously using the newly introduced mobile court system. This directive was announced by Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo during a funeral service held at All Saints’ Cathedral for the late Supreme Court Justice Augustine Sebutulo Nshimye, who added that the case will be handled this week.