Kampala, Uganda: Christopher Okello Onyum, the prime suspect in the killing of four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder as the High Court commenced a highly publicised mobile trial at Ggaba.
Appearing before High Court Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha on Monday, Okello confirmed that he understood the charges but denied any involvement in the April 2 killings.
“Not guilty,” he responded when asked to take plea, drawing audible reactions from members of the public who had gathered in large numbers to witness the proceedings.
The crowd’s reaction prompted Justice Komuhangi to immediately restore order, cautioning attendees to maintain decorum in what she emphasised was a formal court session.
Before entering his plea, Okello briefly requested to consult with his state-appointed lawyers. Following the consultation, the court proceeded to read out all four counts of murder, each of which he denied.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya and Ms Anna Kiiza, presented the latest evidence so far in the case, which included four postmortem reports detailing the causes of death of the toddlers, whose killing sent shockwaves across the Ggaba community and the country.
With the plea now entered, the trial is expected to proceed to the evidentiary phase in the next few days, where the prosecution will present witnesses and material evidence in an attempt to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The court will then determine whether the accused is guilty or not based on the evidence presented.
Public Interest and Legal Debate
The decision to hold the trial as a mobile court session has attracted significant public attention, drawing large crowds to Ggaba and sparking wider legal debate over the conduct of such proceedings.
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, the Uganda Law Society lashed at the Judiciary for what it described as hastened justice, warning that if the rule of law is not applied in such trials, Uganda risks setting a dangerous precedent that could redefine criminal justice in the country.
“What has been packaged as ‘speedy justice’ and enhanced ‘access to justice’ under the Constitution (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions, 2026, is in reality the most cynical form of executive interference in the affairs of the Judiciary witnessed in Uganda since Constitutional Petition No. 2 of 2002,” ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde said.
The mobile court session, which kicked off today, Monday, April 13, is expected to draw large crowds, with arrangements including public screens, loudspeakers, live broadcasts, and controlled seating for up to 1,000 people, including families of the victims and religious leaders.
The case remains one of the most closely watched criminal trials in recent months, given the gravity of the charges and the public outrage surrounding the deaths of the four children.
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