crime 26 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ggaba Daycare Suspect Okello Denies Intent in Deaths of Four Children, Cites Psychological Distress
Christopher Okello Onyum testified in court that he did not intentionally kill four children at a Ggaba daycare centre on April 2, 2026, claiming coercion in his police statements and severe mental strain from threats and harassment. He described erratic thoughts and actions during a distressing period, arguing the prosecution failed to prove malice aforethought. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/i-didn-t-intentionally-cause-death-of-the-four-children-says-okello-5437504
Christopher Okello Onyum, a 39-year-old American citizen of Ugandan origin and farmer from Nwoya District, took the witness stand on Friday in his defence against four murder charges.
The charges, read by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, allege that on April 2, 2026, at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division, Kampala, Okello unlawfully caused the deaths of Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenorwoth, Ignatius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke with malice aforethought.
In a testimony filled with pauses and disjointed narrative, Okello pleaded not guilty, insisting he lacked intent. He claimed his police confessions were coerced and that undetected mental health issues contributed to the incident.
Okello recounted living in fear from mid-January to late March 2026, pursued by mysterious adversaries in Bunga neighbourhood who demanded money and threatened his life. He described encounters with young people greeting him by name, posh individuals with walkie-talkies, and others, forcing him to flee his home and live on the streets.
To illustrate his psychological turmoil, he admitted contemplating fleeing the country, robbing a bank, and harming his brother’s family during this period.
He dismissed prosecution evidence like ISIS videos, school searches, and a file on his flash drive as unrelated or occurring later under duress, rejecting claims of ritual sacrifice for riches.
Okello portrayed himself as kind, prosperous, and focused, with a bright future, calling character witnesses including his father and former landlord. He urged the court to drop the charges, arguing the prosecution did not prove deliberate intent.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)