The morning began like any other at a preschool, Ggaba Childhood Development Centre. Children played, teachers prepared lessons, and a man walked in asking about enrollment. Minutes later, screams shattered the calm.
That chilling sequence formed the centrepiece of testimony as the trial of murder suspect Christopher Okello Onyum opened before a mobile High Court sitting at the crime scene.
In a rare move aimed at bringing justice closer to the people, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni directed the Judiciary to conduct the trial within the Ggaba community where the killings occurred. The mobile court setting, held in an open and accessible environment, seeks to enhance transparency and offer a sense of closure to grieving residents.
The court heard how Okello allegedly posed as a parent before launching an attack that left four children dead, in one of the most disturbing incidents to hit the community.
Presiding over the case, Alice Komuhangi Khaukha formally read out four counts of murder against the accused, linked to the deaths of Etuke Gedio, Kaisha Otimu, Sseruyange Ingenious and Odeke Ryan.
Okello, who followed proceedings in English, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The hearing drew large crowds of residents, religious leaders, and grieving families, who gathered under a tented courtroom to witness proceedings unfold.
Prosecution, led by Jonathan Muwaganya, told court that key facts, including postmortem findings, were agreed upon by both the state and the defence.
The examinations were conducted by Dr. Katongole Abdullah.
In a gripping account, caretaker Namutebi Fibe described her encounter with the accused on the day of the attack.
She told court that Okello first visited the school expressing interest in registering a child. He later returned and paid registration fees for a child identified as Zeuriel Onyum.
Moments after stepping out of the office, chaos erupted.
“Screams filled the compound,” Namutebi testified, recounting how the situation quickly spiralled out of control.
She said she attempted to intervene but was overpowered as the suspect fought her, while teachers raised alarm.
The court heard that a security guard and members of the public subdued the suspect. They later discovered knives hidden in his socks.
Four children were pronounced dead at the scene before their bodies were taken to Wentzi Medical Centre.
The trial took an emotional turn as parents of the victims testified. Proceedings paused briefly when Stella Apollo, mother to Ateko Gedion, collapsed in court.
Medical evidence presented in court painted a grim picture of the injuries sustained.
According to findings read into the record by Justice Khaukha, all four children died of hypovolemic shock caused by severe cut wounds to the neck.
The report detailed that Gideon Eteku, aged two, suffered a deep neck wound that severed vital structures, including the oesophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels.
Other victims, including Keisha Agenrwot Atim, Ignatius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke, sustained similar fatal injuries.
The court heard that the wounds bore characteristics of a sharp-edged weapon, with smooth and regular margins.
Justice Khaukha confirmed that both prosecution and defence had signed a memorandum of agreed facts, accepting the cause of death and nature of injuries.
Addressing the accused, she asked whether he understood the document. Okello responded in the affirmative before signing it.
The adoption of the memorandum marked a key procedural step in the trial, eliminating the need for extensive cross-examination of the medical findings.
The court also swore in three assessors, John Musana, Maria Teopista Kyobijja, and Racheal Ainomugisha to assist in the hearing.
The prosecution team includes Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza, while the defence is led by Richard Kumbuga and Sarah Awelo.
After hearing six witnesses, the court adjourned the case to April 15 for cross-examination and further proceedings.
As the trial continues, the Gaba community remains gripped by grief, searching for answers in a case that has left deep scars.
