news 3 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Experts Outline Key Measures to Bolster School Security After Ggaba Tragedy
Following the brutal stabbing of four children at a Kampala daycare, education and security experts urge schools to implement robust fences, CCTV surveillance, trained guards, and community partnerships. They emphasize adherence to the Ministry of Education's 2023 guidelines to protect learners from intruders, fires, and other threats. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/experts-share-tips-on-how-to-secure-schools-5412024
The horrific killing of four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Programme School in Makindye Division has exposed critical vulnerabilities in school security. A man posing as a prospective parent, identified by police as Christopher Okello, carried out the attack, leaving one boy and three girls dead. He is currently held at Kabalagala Police Station.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala stressed the importance of security guards and thorough visitor checks to prevent such disguises. Schools face risks from armed intruders, internal violence, fires, and natural disasters like floods or lightning strikes.
Experts from the National Private Education Institutions Association (NPEIA), including chairperson Hasadu Kirabira, recommend strong perimeter fences, secure gates, 24/7 CCTV systems, dedicated security committees, and strong community relations. ‘Attackers often come from nearby areas, so building ties is essential,’ Kirabira noted, adding that guards must be well-trained.
The Ministry of Education’s 2023 guidelines mandate perimeter walls, smoke detectors, intruder alarms, armed guards, lightning arrestors, firefighting gear, emergency contact displays, and regular fire drills. Kawala urged prioritizing access control to verify all entrants.
Additional advice includes hiring sufficient guards for larger schools, avoiding construction near busy roads to reduce accident risks, and fostering community vigilance regardless of location.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)