A man accused of killing four toddlers at a daycare centre in Ggaba, Kampala, was not suffering from any mental illness at the time of the attack, according to Uganda’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who says the killings were driven by a belief in wealth through human sacrifice.
Christopher Okello Onyum, 38, has been committed to the High Court to face four counts of murder following what authorities describe as one of the most shocking crimes involving children in recent years. Prosecutors argue that the suspect was fully aware of his actions and deliberately carried out the attack in pursuit of financial gain.
Court documents presented during committal proceedings reveal that medical and psychiatric assessments found Okello to be mentally stable, contradicting earlier claims from relatives that he had a history of mental illness. According to the DPP, his reasoning was “normal,” but rooted in a belief that killing could bring wealth and personal enrichment.
The incident occurred at a Ggaba early childhood development centre, where the suspect allegedly posed as a parent seeking to enroll a child. After interacting with staff and completing registration formalities, he launched a sudden and violent attack on children playing in the compound.
Investigators say the attack was not spontaneous but carefully planned. Days before the incident, Okello reportedly rented a vehicle and conducted surveillance on the daycare facility, familiarizing himself with its layout and operations. On the day of the attack, he returned, paid admission fees, and then carried out the assault shortly after leaving the office area.
Prosecution evidence further indicates that the suspect used multiple knives and attempted to dispose of one of the weapons during his arrest. He was subdued by security personnel and members of the public before being taken into custody.
Postmortem reports presented in court show that the children died from severe injuries resulting in excessive blood loss. The nature of the wounds, described as deep and targeted, reinforced the prosecution’s argument that the attack was deliberate and calculated.
Authorities also revealed that Okello had previously been certified as mentally fit in a medical report issued months before the incident, further strengthening the case against claims of insanity.
The case has drawn national attention, prompting calls for swift justice. Uganda’s judiciary has indicated plans to expedite the trial, potentially holding proceedings within the Ggaba community under a mobile court system to allow the public to witness the process.
If convicted, the suspect faces the maximum penalty under Ugandan law.