In one of the most shocking crimes to hit Uganda’s capital in recent years, a man disguised as a parent infiltrated a nursery school in Kampala and fatally stabbed four children aged three and under with a machete before fleeing the scene.
The attack occurred at a pre-primary facility in Kampala on the afternoon of April 1, 2026. Police say the suspect, a 34-year-old man, posed as a guardian to gain entry before launching the unprovoked assault. He was arrested several hours later after a manhunt across the city.
A Community in Shock
The killings have sent shockwaves through Kampala, where such violence against young children in educational settings is exceedingly rare. Parents who arrived to collect their children were met with a chaotic crime scene as officers cordoned off the area.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said one community leader in the Buziga neighbourhood where the school is located. “No one could have anticipated something like this.”
Police have confirmed the identity of the suspect but have not yet disclosed a motive. Uganda’s Director of Public Prosecutions said the case would be fast-tracked.
Security Failures Under Scrutiny
The attack has exposed significant gaps in Uganda’s school security infrastructure. Many institutions in Kampala operate with minimal vetting of adults entering their premises.
The Uganda Police Force has urged all schools to review their access control procedures immediately.
A Tragic Reminder of Child Safety Gaps
Child protection advocates say the attack is a tragic reminder of how far Uganda still has to go in protecting its youngest citizens. The psychological impact on survivors and witnesses is expected to be profound.
Four young lives lost. One community forever changed.