crime 6 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kampala Kindergarten Killer Suspect Had Mental Health Issues, Family Reveals
The man accused of killing four toddlers at a Kampala nursery school has a documented history of mental illness, with his family confirming he received treatment in the US before secretly returning to Uganda. Local leaders and sources indicate his troubled background, including unverified links to past family tragedies. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/suspect-in-kampala-kindergarten-killings-has-history-of-mental-illness-sources-5414420
Christopher Okello Onyum, detained over the brutal slaying of four young children at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Kampala, reportedly suffered from longstanding mental health problems, according to his relatives.
Family members disclosed that they had taken him to the United States for medical care some years ago. He returned to Uganda quietly in November last year without their knowledge.
On Thursday, Onyum allegedly posed as a prospective parent at the school, then attacked toddlers on the playground equipment, sparking national outrage. Police and soldiers intervened to save him from a furious crowd.
The suspect’s father, living in Bunga, identified him from circulated photos and informed investigators about the mental health history, said Ggaba LCIII councillor Arnold Kasujja.
Taxi drivers familiar with Onyum claimed he had consulted a traditional healer who suggested ritual sacrifices for wealth. Unconfirmed reports also tie him to his stepbrother’s death in 2017, which reportedly spurred the US treatment.
State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysestom Muyingo visited the site Friday, ordering the school’s closure along with related facilities. The government vows aid for victims’ families and staff as probes into the motive continue.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)