Christopher Okello Onyum, the prime suspect in the killing of four children at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre has denied all the charges against him.
Appearing before pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering four children at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre. The public court sitting is ongoing at the Ggaba Community Church grounds.
Okello Onyum faces four counts of murder in connection with the brutal deaths of toddlers at the daycare facility. He had earlier been committed to the High Court for trial following the completion of investigations into the April 2, 2026 incident.
The case stems from a violent attack at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, where four young children were killed while under the care of the facility. The prosecution alleges that the suspect unlawfully caused their deaths in what is believed to have been a premeditated act.
Court proceedings indicate that Onyum was found to be of sound mind and fit to stand trial after a medical assessment, despite earlier suggestions that he had a history of mental illness. A psychiatric report presented to court confirmed his fitness to plead and follow proceedings.
At the time of his arrest, court records show that the suspect was found in possession of two American passports, two mobile phones, two laptops, a United States driving permit, a medical sanity form, and a certificate of good conduct. The prosecution has not yet clarified the relevance of these items to the charges but is expected to rely on them during trial.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), investigations point to a carefully planned attack. The prosecution maintains that evidence will demonstrate a sequence of deliberate actions leading up to the killings.
“The prosecution’s case shall, at trial, reveal a sequence of deliberate and calculated actions preceding the attack. Investigations indicate that the accused planned the offence over several days before launching a violent assault on the children,” the DPP said in a statement.
Prosecutors further allege that on April 2, 2026, at Ggaba Trading Centre in Makindye Division, Kampala, Onyum, with malice aforethought, caused the deaths of four children identified as Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Sseruyange Ignitius, and Odeke Ryan.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect had earlier visited the facility seeking admission for his child and was advised to return later. He reportedly returned, paid the required fees, and shortly thereafter allegedly carried out the attack that left the children dead.
The victims have been identified as Ryan Odeke, aged 18 months, Gideon Eteko, two and a half years, Keisha Elungat, two years, and Ignatius Sseruyange, also aged two.
