crime 8 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Christopher Okello Committed to High Court for Killing Four Toddlers at Kampala Daycare
Christopher Okello Onyum, a dual Ugandan-American citizen, has been sent to the High Court for trial on four counts of murder after stabbing four young children to death at a Ggaba daycare centre. Prosecution states he showed no signs of mental illness at the time and allegedly planned the attack for wealth through human sacrifice. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/okello-sent-to-high-court-for-trial-over-murder-of-four-toddlers-at-kampala-kindergarten-5416886
Christopher Okello Onyum, aged 38 and holding both Ugandan and American citizenship, faces trial in the High Court for the brutal murder of four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Kampala’s Makindye Division.
The victims—Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignitius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke—ranged in age from one year and three months to two and a half years. They died on April 2, 2026, from deep neck wounds causing hypovolemic shock, as confirmed by postmortem reports.
Prosecutors allege Okello planned the assault meticulously. He rented a Toyota Rav4 on March 31, bought knives, and scouted the church-run daycare on April 1 by pretending to enroll a child. The next morning, he paid Shs195,000 in fees via mobile money before attacking the playing children with a knife.
When a caretaker intervened, Okello threatened her. Staff and bystanders overpowered him, recovering the bloodied knife and two more from his pockets. He reportedly tried to discard the weapon during arrest.
In his charge and caution statement, Okello confessed. A police medical exam found him calm, cooperative, and mentally sound, with no prior diagnosed illness, though he cited beliefs in wealth via human sacrifice as motive.
Evidence includes CCTV footage, DNA, mobile records, bloodstained clothes, and phones. Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera committed him to the High Court, rejecting any lawful excuse.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)