The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has sanctioned four counts of murder against Christopher Okello Onyum in connection with the deaths of four children killed last week at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that on April 2, 2026, at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Ggaba Trading Zone, Okello Onyum, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Sseruyange Ignitius, and Odeke Ryan.
Okello appeared before the Chief Magistrates’ Court of Makindye on 7th April Tuesday afternoon, where the charges were formally read to him and explained. He did not take a plea, as the magistrate’s court lacks jurisdiction to try capital offences.
He was remanded to prison until Wednesday, April 8, 2026, when the case returns for mention.
The prosecution is led by Chief State Attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza. The matter is before Her Worship Nanjala Aidah, Senior Magistrate Grade I.
The killings have sent shockwaves through Ggaba and the wider Kampala community, leaving families shattered and a nation demanding answers.
Parents and residents who had gathered outside the court wept as the accused was driven away under heavy security.
With charges now sanctioned, the criminal justice process begins. The ODPP is expected to present evidence detailing the circumstances of the tragedy as the case moves toward committal to the High Court for trial.
In Uganda, under the Penal Code Act Cap 120,section 180 defines murder as causing the death of another person unlawfully and with malice aforethought.
Malice aforethought means intent to kill or intent to cause grievous bodily harm or knowledge that the act will probably cause death or intent to commit a felony where death results.
The prosecution must prove that he intended to kill or knew his actions would likely kill those children.
Upon conviction, Okello Onyum will face death penalty which Uganda has since retained for murder.
