A 25-year-old primary school teacher has been remanded to Kauga Government Prison after appearing before the Mukono Grade One Magistrate's Court on charges of aggravated defilement involving a 16-year-old pupil.
Nathan Odeke, a teacher at Mother's Pride Nursery and Primary School in Gulama Village, Goma Division, Mukono Municipality, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Praise Ahurira.
State prosecutor Babra Anguzu told court that investigations into the case had been completed.
The prosecution alleges that the offences were committed on two separate occasions on the school premises.
Court heard that the first incident allegedly occurred in mid-May 2026 during the morning break, while the second is alleged to have taken place on July 10 when the school campus was largely deserted after staff members and pupils travelled to Tororo for the school principal's wedding.
According to the prosecution, another student became suspicious during the second incident and alerted school authorities, who later reported the matter to police, leading to Odeke's arrest.
Magistrate Ahurira did not allow the accused to take plea, explaining that aggravated defilement is a capital offence that can only be tried by the High Court.
"This court lacks jurisdiction to hear pleas or entertain bail applications in capital offences. The accused is at liberty to apply for bail before the High Court," Ahurira said.
Odeke was remanded to Kauga Government Prison until July 28, 2026, when he will return to court for mention of the case before committal to the High Court.
The accused denies no charge at this stage because the Magistrate's Court has no jurisdiction to take a plea in capital offences.