Former Common Man’s Party presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga,has condemned the recent deadly attack at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, calling for justice, heightened security, and a thorough investigation into the incident.
Speaking during Sanyuka One on One on Tuesday, the former Kawempe South Member of Parliament expressed outrage over the killing of four young children, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to the rule of law.
“Children are innocent, and harming a child is unacceptable. There must be a thorough investigation to establish the motive behind such a tragic act and to ensure justice is served,” he said.
Munyagwa stressed that justice must be pursued within legal frameworks, adding that the suspect, identified as Christopher Okello, must be held fully accountable.
“It is important to remember that justice should follow the rule of law,” he said.
The suspect, identified as Christopher Okello, poised as a parent seeking to enrol a child at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division, Kampala, 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.
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.
Reflecting on the broader implications of the incident, Munyagwa warned that such acts raise serious concerns about public safety and potential organized violence.
“From a human perspective, behavior can be influenced by many factors, and incidents like this raise serious concerns about security and potential organized violence. If such acts are repeated or coordinated, they may even point to forms of terrorism,” he said.
Munyagwa also called for increased security in educational institutions, proposing the deployment of armed personnel in schools across the country.
“Every school should have armed personnel. The government has the capacity to do that, and people should be vigilant,” he urged, adding his belief that the suspect may not have acted alone.
Munyagwa expressed personal outrage over the crime, suggesting that harsher punitive measures should be considered, though he maintained that legal processes must be followed.
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 Gaba Community Church—namely, Gaba Early Childhood Development Centre, Gaba Primary School, and Gaba 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. Abodo added that the case will be handled this week.
The suspect remains in police custody and investigations are ongoing to establish the motive behind the killings.
