crime 28 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ggaba Daycare Murder Trial: Assessors Urge Conviction of Okello on All Counts
Three court assessors have advised the High Court to convict Christopher Okello Onyum on four counts of murder for the killing of toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, citing strong prosecution evidence including CCTV, DNA, and medical reports. The judge is set to deliver the ruling soon after the assessors found Okello mentally stable and rejected his defense claims. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ggaba-daycare-murder-trial-why-assessors-advised-court-to-convict-okello-5439150
In a major development in one of Uganda’s most horrific child murder cases, three court assessors have recommended that High Court Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha find Christopher Okello Onyum guilty of murdering four toddlers at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre on April 2, 2026.
The assessors, in their joint opinion delivered on Monday, stated that the prosecution proved all key elements of murder beyond reasonable doubt: the deaths, their unlawful nature, malice aforethought, and Okello’s participation.
Postmortem reports from Dr. Katongole Abdu confirmed that victims Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignatius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke died from deep neck cut injuries leading to hypovolemic shock. This was backed by multiple eyewitnesses.
CCTV footage analyzed by AIP Emmanuel Odongo placed Okello at the scene, with prior recordings suggesting premeditation. Forensic DNA evidence from Okello’s sunglasses, shirt, trousers, and knife matched traces from the victims’ bodies and clothing.
Okello claimed he did not intend to kill the children and acted under duress, but provided no supporting evidence. Psychiatric evaluations by Dr. Nuwamanya and Dr. Rogers Agenda confirmed he was mentally stable at the time.
His two defense witnesses failed to undermine the prosecution’s case, leading assessors to advise conviction on all four counts.
The court’s judgment is anticipated shortly.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)