Authorities have confirmed that court proceedings in the Gaba child death case will officially begin next week under an open, fast-tracked trial arrangement, in a move aimed at ensuring swift justice while allowing public scrutiny of the process.
The announcement was issued through a public notice by the Minister of State for Children Affairs Balaam Ateenyi, who expressed appreciation to the Joint Security Forces for what he described as prompt and coordinated investigations into the tragic incident that has shocked the Gaba community in Kampala.
According to the statement, security agencies including the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT), Crime Intelligence and other units worked together to gather evidence and support the prosecution process.
The ministry said their efforts have enabled an expedited case preparation within a short period.
The Judiciary has also been commended for granting a fast-tracked hearing for the suspect. Court sessions are scheduled to begin on Monday, 13 April, and will run for one week, with daily sittings set for 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
In a notable arrangement, the trial will be conducted in an open court setting, with members of the public allowed to attend.
However, authorities have capped courtroom seating at 1,000 people on a first-come, first-served basis, warning that no entry will be allowed once proceedings begin.
To accommodate wider public interest, government has said screens and public address systems will be installed to allow live viewing outside the courtroom.
The proceedings will also be broadcast live on major television stations across the country.
In an unusual but symbolic move, parts of the hearing will also be conducted at Gaba Community School grounds, the location linked to the alleged incident.
The ministry has urged members of the public to remain calm and follow proceedings peacefully, noting that the trial is meant to uphold justice for children and reinforce accountability.
Citizens have also been cautioned against spreading unverified information as the case proceeds under close national attention.