crime 24 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Street Child Testifies Okello Recruited Him to Gather Kids in Ggaba Daycare Case
A protected street child witness told the High Court that murder suspect Christopher Okello asked him to mobilize other minors after buying them food. The testimony emerged during the Ggaba daycare killings trial, prompting an adjournment to locate more witnesses. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ggaba-daycare-killings-street-boy-tells-court-okello-asked-him-to-mobilize-children--5435396
A street child, testifying as a defense witness in the Ggaba daycare murder trial, revealed that accused Christopher Okello Onyu asked him to help gather other children. The minor’s identity remains protected by court order.
The witness, known as Defence Witness Two, first encountered Okello in February 2026 while living on the streets with over 40 other kids. They approached Okello for water, but he bought them food instead and paid a nearby vendor.
After the meal, Okello pulled the witness aside, exchanged phone numbers—saving his as ‘Sande’ and the witness’s as ‘Christopher’—and requested help organizing children for future visits.
The next day, Okello returned with a 10-litre jerrycan and bought more food. The witness later recognized him on the news. During cross-examination, he confirmed the meeting on February 19, 2026, involved kids aged seven to ten.
Okello, in his unsworn testimony, described psychological distress from January to March, including threats that forced him to flee his Bunga home and live on the streets.
The defense requested an adjournment to find two more witnesses, which Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha approved, with the case set for Monday. The Deputy Registrar noted a possible move to the High Court.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)