Child rights advocates condemn killing of toddlers in Ggaba

3 April 2026, 4:02 pm

By Edwin Okurmu Kisa

The Network for Early Childhood Development Actors Uganda (NECDA) has expressed shock and profound sorrow following the brutal killing of four toddlers in Makindye Division, Kampala.

The children, all under the age of three, were killed at a daycare centre in Ggaba on 2 April 2026.

In a press briefing held in Kampala, NECDA extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the staff and management of the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Programme, and the wider community.

The organisation noted that the children had been entrusted to what should have been a safe and nurturing environment, stressing that no family should endure such a tragic loss in a place meant to protect young lives.

NECDA described the incident as a wake-up call, highlighting serious gaps in the enforcement of safety, registration, licensing, and child protection standards as outlined in the Early Childhood Care and Education Policy.

The body has called on all childcare centre operators to strictly adhere to government regulations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children.

NECDA Chairperson, Hellen Grace Namulwana, emphasised the need for increased awareness and sensitisation across all childcare centres to improve standards of care. She urged caregivers and operators to fully comply with government guidelines, noting that adherence to these standards is essential for protecting children.

Meanwhile, NECDA official Aron Kirunda called on school proprietors to establish learning centres in safe and well-planned environments. He also urged the government to strengthen enforcement of existing policies to ensure full compliance.

NECDA further stressed that early childhood development remains central to Uganda’s social and economic progress, adding that strong foundations in the early years are critical for achieving the country’s long-term development goals.