The High Court in Kampala has ruled that Christopher Okello Onyum has a case to answer in connection with the tragic killing of children at a daycare centre in Ggaba, marking a significant step forward in the high-profile trial.
Presiding over the case, Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha determined that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant a defence from the accused on all four counts of murder.
Delivering the ruling in court, Justice Khaukha addressed the accused directly:
“I have evaluated the evidence that has been adduced against you and I find that it makes a case against you, requiring you to give your defense on each of the four counts that I read to you when we were beginning this case. Have you understood that?”
Christopher Okello responded: “Yes, my lord I have understood it”.
The judge followed up to confirm his comprehension: “What have you understood?”
Okello replied: “I understood that the prosecution has produced evidence to support their case and I should make a defense on the four counts that were made against me.”
Justice Khaukha affirmed his response, stating: “Exactly.”
With this ruling, the court has formally placed Okello on his defence, requiring him to respond to the allegations and present his side of the story regarding the deaths of the children.
The case stems from a deeply disturbing incident at a Ggaba-based early childhood development centre, where four toddlers were killed.
Prosecutors allege that the victims were deliberately targeted, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting a wide-ranging investigation.
According to evidence previously presented in court, investigators pieced together movements, digital records, and witness accounts in an effort to link the accused to the scene. The prosecution has relied on forensic findings and circumstantial evidence to build its case, arguing that the pattern of events points to a calculated act rather than an accident.
The matter has drawn intense public attention, with families of the victims and members of the community closely following proceedings as they seek justice for the children. The trial has also highlighted concerns about safety standards and oversight in daycare facilities, adding broader social significance to the outcome of the case.
In a related development, Okello was granted access to three of his mobile phones while in custody, enabling him to retrieve contact details for individuals he intends to call as witnesses in his defence. He subsequently submitted four phone numbers to the court as part of this process.
The trial is expected to proceed with the defence phase, where Okello will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s case and present evidence in his favour.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Christopher Okello Onyum had ‘planned’ to attack six other schools in Kampala and Wakiso as his ISIS searches were exposed. (See Details Here).
Details have also emerged about what the American Embassy found regarding Christopher Okello Onyum’s criminal record and mental fitness, his apology and confessions on reason for Killing four children as well as his plan to end his own life. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
