By Ben Musanje
Ggaba Community Church is reeling from shock and grief after a deadly attack at its Early Childhood Development Center on Thursday morning left four toddlers dead and several staff injured. The church has moved quickly to distance the suspect, Christopher Okello Onyum, from any formal link to its ministry, emphasizing that the tragedy was the act of an outsider.
The victims—Keisha Alungat, Gideon Oteko, Odeka Ryan, and Ignitious Seruyange—were all between one and two-and-a-half years old. Jacqueline Ssewava, spokesperson and board member of the church and its properties, explained that Onyum had initially approached the center as a parent seeking admission for a child and was referred to return the following day. She clarified that when he returned, he carried out the attack, and there was no evidence connecting him to the church or its ministry.
Ssewava described the attack as causing immense pain for both the institution and the wider community. She credited the caretakers for acting swiftly, which limited the number of casualties. One caretaker was injured while trying to stop the assailant, who was later apprehended by authorities before being handed over to police.
The church has announced that a memorial service will be held on Monday at Ggaba Community Church, with family members and several dignitaries expected to attend. Ssewava indicated that the church has provided full support to the bereaved families, arranging burial ceremonies and offering ongoing welfare assistance.
Lawyer for the church, Stanley Okecho, emphasized the longstanding role of the ministry in the community, noting that the Early Childhood Development Center and the affiliated Day Care program have operated for over 20 years, serving underprivileged children and children of staff at minimal fees. He reiterated that the suspect had no affiliation with the church and stressed that the ministry has always prioritized the care and welfare of children, many of whom were previously malnourished or lacked basic support.
Okecho also addressed concerns about security, stating that the facilities are normally locked and supervised, with caretakers assigned to each child. He noted that this was the first such incident in over 30 years of operation and described it as a tragic and unforeseen event.
The church highlighted its broader community initiatives, which include Maranatha Primary School, Maranatha High School, and a university, along with programs supporting local children. Fees at the Day Care Center are intentionally low to help staff and local families afford quality childcare, significantly below typical rates in Kampala.
Authorities have arrested Onyum, and soldiers and police officers continue to guard the premises as the investigation continues. While the community mourns the loss of the young children, Ggaba Community Church has reaffirmed its commitment to child welfare and service to the local population.
Ssewava summarized that the children, caretakers, and the broader community were all affected by the attack, but stressed that the individual responsible does not represent the ministry or its values, and that the church continues to support families and the community during this period of grief. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
