Museveni Pushes On-Site Trial In Ggaba Child Killings, Gives Families Shs10m Each

President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Judiciary to fast-track the trial of the prime suspect in last week’s killing of four toddlers in Ggaba, calling for proceedings to be conducted within the affected community.

The directive, aimed at ensuring swift justice and public transparency, was communicated through the Principal Judge, Jane Frances Abodo, who revealed that the Head of State wants the Judiciary to operationalize its mobile court system for the case.

“His Excellency says this case must be handled. Can you test the mobile court directives that you made as the Judiciary? Take the court to where the incident happened and handle the case there,” Justice Abodo said.

Last week, Christopher Okello entered Gaba Early Childhood Development Programme Centre in Ggaba, Kampala where he stabbed four children to death. He was arrested following the heinous crime.

The proposed use of a mobile court—where judicial proceedings are conducted at or near the scene of the crime—is intended to allow residents of Ggaba to directly witness the administration of justice, while also reinforcing public confidence in the legal system.

Minister Balaam Barugahare delivered Museveni’s condolences (PHOTO BY GABA COMMUNITY CHURCH)

In a gesture of support to the affected families, President Museveni also extended financial assistance, providing Shs10 million to each of the grieving households to help them cope with the tragedy.

The killings, which shocked the nation, have heightened public concern over child safety and community security, prompting calls for decisive action from authorities.

Legal observers note that while mobile courts have previously been used in Uganda to address case backlogs and improve access to justice, their deployment in a high-profile criminal trial of this nature underscores the urgency attached to the matter.

If implemented, the Ggaba proceedings could set a precedent for handling serious crimes within affected communities, particularly in cases that have sparked widespread public outrage.