Kampala, Uganda: The suspect in the brutal killing of four toddlers at a Ggaba daycare centre has been committed to the High Court for trial on multiple murder charges.
Christopher Okello Onyum was committed by Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera after the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that investigations into the case were complete.
The 38-year-old American national faces four counts of murder contrary to Sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act over the deaths of Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignatius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke, children aged between one year and three months and two-and-a-half years.
Prosecution told court that the April 2, 2026, attack at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division was carefully planned.
Court documents show that the suspect purchased multiple knives, rented a vehicle, and visited the daycare a day earlier under the guise of seeking admission for a child.
On the day of the attack, he reportedly paid Shs195,000 via mobile money as fees before launching a violent assault on children playing in the compound. “The accused, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of the four minors,” the DPP states.
Prosecution adds that the suspect used a knife to “systematically attack” the victims and threatened a caretaker who attempted to intervene. He was later subdued by staff and members of the public, who handed him over to the police.
Forensic Evidence and Alleged Confession
Investigators recovered critical evidence, including murder weapons, bloodstained clothing, mobile phones, and transaction records confirming payment shortly before the attack.
Postmortem reports indicate that all victims died from hypovolemic shock due to deep neck wounds.
Prosecution further states that the accused made a charge and caution statement confessing to the killings. Medical assessments reportedly found him to be of sound mental state, despite claims linked to beliefs in wealth through human sacrifice.
The High Court will now hear the case, in what prosecutors describe as one of the most disturbing child murder incidents in recent years.
While such extreme cases are rare, Uganda’s crime data shows broader patterns of violent offences.
In the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, cases of attempted killing (other than shooting) stood at 892, while abductions/kidnap cases were recorded at 206, highlighting persistent threats to vulnerable populations.
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