news 30 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ggaba Toddler Killings: Okello's Unprecedented Mobile Court Trial Gripped Uganda
The murder trial of Christopher Okello, accused of stabbing four toddlers to death at a Ggaba daycare, unfolded in a rare mobile court setup amid public outrage, chaotic incidents, and natural disruptions. Stretching over three weeks, the proceedings highlighted tensions between community demands and judicial fairness. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/okello-murder-trial-a-case-like-no-other-5441556
A horrific incident on April 2 shocked Uganda when 38-year-old Christopher Okello allegedly entered the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Programme and fatally stabbed four children aged one to two-and-a-half using a kitchen knife. Arrested on the spot, the case sparked massive public fury and demands for immediate justice.
President Museveni instructed the use of a new mobile court system, leading to a makeshift courtroom at Ggaba Community Church playgrounds by Lake Victoria. Large tents housed lawyers, media, and locals as the trial, expected to last a week, extended to three after Okello pleaded not guilty to four murder counts.
Prosecutors called 18 witnesses, but the trial stood out for its dramatic disruptions. On April 15, a prison van reversing into the venue struck and injured journalist Ronald Mukhwana, halting proceedings briefly.
A week later, a fierce lakeside storm shredded the tents, forcing Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha’s evacuation amid chaos. Nearby worshippers prayed fervently as security cleared the panicked crowd.
Religion marked the trial uniquely, with daily prayers led by a local pastor seeking divine guidance—a rarity in Ugandan courts. Okello’s occasional laughter behind his mask prompted his lawyer to suggest mental health issues, though the state rejected an insanity defense.
Public opinion split: many criticized the judge’s polite greetings like ‘Good morning, Mr Okello’ and his comforts such as bottled water, viewing them as too lenient. Experts defended this as upholding the presumption of innocence.
The case tested mobile courts’ viability, balancing raw emotion with legal standards. Judgment was anticipated soon after the three-week saga.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)