KAMPALA — Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha of the High Court in Kampala has convicted Christopher Okello Onyum of killing four Ggaba daycare centre children.
Uganda is now awaiting the sentencing of Christopher Okello Onyum, the man at the centre of one of the country’s most shocking child murder cases in recent years, following a trial that has gripped the nation and drawn unprecedented public attention.
Court resumes at 3pm local time for the Christopher Okello Onyum sentencing.
Okello, 39, was found guilty of murdering four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre on April 2, 2026 — a crime that horrified the country and triggered widespread grief and outrage.
The High Court proceedings, presided over by Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, have been taking place at Ggaba Community Church grounds under a special mobile court arrangement, bringing the trial closer to the affected community and allowing members of the public to follow the case firsthand.
The victims — Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignatius Sseruyange and Ryan Odeke — were all young children attending the daycare centre. Medical evidence presented in court showed they died from severe neck injuries that caused extensive blood loss.
Postmortem reports indicated the children succumbed to hypovolemic shock following deep cuts that damaged critical blood vessels and organs.
Prosecutors built their case on a combination of forensic findings and witness testimony, arguing that Okello deliberately carried out the killings. The state presented DNA evidence linking him to the victims and the alleged murder weapon, as well as testimony placing him at the scene on the day of the attack.
The prosecution further argued that the nature of the injuries — deep, targeted cuts to the neck — demonstrated clear intent to kill. They told court that the choice of weapon and the severity of the wounds pointed to premeditation rather than a spontaneous act.
State attorneys also rejected Okello’s defence that he was suffering from a mental illness at the time. They argued that the legal threshold for establishing insanity had not been met and maintained that the accused appeared aware of his actions and their consequences.
Court assessors, who advise the judge on matters of fact, sided with the prosecution and recommended that Okello be convicted on all four counts of murder. Their opinion indicated that the evidence presented satisfied all the legal ingredients required to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
The assessors cited forensic analysis, including DNA evidence, as well as CCTV findings that placed Okello near the scene prior to the killings. They also pointed to psychiatric evaluations presented in court, which reportedly found no indication of a mental disorder that would absolve him of criminal responsibility.
Throughout the trial, Okello maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. In his defence, he told court he “did not intentionally cause the death of the four children” and argued that the prosecution had failed to prove intent.
Okello described a period of psychological distress leading up to the incident. He claimed he had been under pressure from individuals he alleged were threatening him and demanding money.
As part of that account, Okello told court that during this period he had contemplated or attempted extreme actions, including fleeing the country, robbing a bank, and harming members of his own family — claims he presented as evidence of his troubled mental state at the time.
However, prosecutors challenged this account, arguing that it was unsupported by credible evidence and inconsistent with his conduct before and after the killings. They maintained that his actions — including alleged attempts to conceal evidence — demonstrated awareness and intent.
The trial has also drawn significant attention due to its format. The proceedings were conducted in a tent near the scene of the crime, in what authorities described as an effort to enhance public access to justice. The arrangement attracted large crowds and intense public interest, though it also sparked debate among legal observers about its implications for the fairness of the trial.
At several points during the proceedings, sessions were briefly disrupted by adverse weather conditions, particularly heavy rain and strong winds that affected the tented courtroom setup. Court officials were forced to pause hearings to allow for adjustments, as attendees sought shelter and equipment was secured against the elements — highlighting both the accessibility and logistical challenges of holding a high-profile trial in an open, temporary venue.
Emotional testimony from the victims’ families formed a key part of the proceedings, with parents and daycare center staff recounting the loss of their children and the devastating impact on their lives. Their accounts underscored the human cost of the tragedy and reinforced the gravity of the charges against the accused.
The forthcoming sentencing is expected to bring a measure of closure to the bereaved families, even as the case continues to raise wider questions about child safety, mental health, and the administration of justice.
Prosecutors had also presented evidence tracking Christopher Okello Onyum’s movements, his mobile phone records and his searches, including on matters like ISIS and beheading. It was also revealed that Christopher Okello Onyum might have wanted to target other schools in Kampala and Wakiso. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
It should be remembered that Christopher Okello Onyum said he didn’t intentionally kill the four children, talking of being distressed Here.
Some, including first son and Uganda’s military chief, have called for the hanging of Christopher Okello Onyum as reported Here.
