A man accused of fatally stabbing four young children at a kindergarten in Uganda has appeared in court as proceedings begin in Kampala.
Christopher Okello Onyum, 39, who holds both Ugandan and American citizenship, is facing four counts of murder.
According to prosecutors, Onyum formally addressed the charges in court after a prior admission. The indictment states he recorded a “charge and caution statement” in which he confessed to killing the children.
Prosecutors said a medical assessment indicated his thought processes were “normal,” but that he believed in getting wealth through human sacrifice.
Although prosecutors say Onyum previously admitted to the killings, he pleaded not guilty when the charges were put to him in court. “I plead not guilty to this charge, my lord,” he told the court.
Onyum allegedly described the killings as a form of “fortune hunting or enrichment.” When relatives of the victims were present at the hearing, they jeered at the defendant.
Prosecutors say Onyum gained access to the kindergarten by posing as a parent. He then attacked children with a knife, killing four. The victims ranged in age from 15 months to about two and a half years.
The kindergarten catered to “malnourished and vulnerable children,” serving babies and toddlers from roughly three months to three years, prosecutors said. Prosecutors stated the evidence will show Onyum “carefully planned the offence over several days” before launching a violent and sustained attack inside the facility.
They also said a medical assessment confirmed he is mentally fit to stand trial.
The case has triggered intense outrage across Uganda. During the initial aftermath of the attack, an angry crowd reportedly attempted to lynch Onyum before his arrest. Some Ugandans have also criticized the pace of the legal process.
Swabrah Kirabo, a university student, said the case could drag on, reflecting broader concerns about delays in the justice system.
Uganda’s army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba—son of President Yoweri Museveni—said last week that authorities would push for the death sentence for the accused.
Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
