Christopher Okello Onyum, the man accused of killing four toddlers at a Ggaba daycare centre, has begun his defence by firmly denying any intent to commit murder, presenting himself instead as a distressed individual of previously good character.
Okello, 38, is facing charges for the alleged murder of Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignitius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre on April 2, 2026.
Appearing before court during a public trial at Ggaba Community Church on Friday, Okello, guided briefly by his lawyer Richard Kumbuga, opted to give an unsworn statement from the dock. In his submission, he maintained that although the children tragically died, he did not deliberately cause their deaths.
I am not guilty of the offences because I did not intentionally cause the death of the four children. I can explain how the children died, but I did not do it intentionally, and the charges should not stand.
Two defence witnesses were present as proceedings commenced.
Okello also challenged the prosecution’s reliance on statements in which he allegedly confessed to the killings, claiming they were obtained under duress.
My Lord, those statements were made under pressure. I was not allowed to question what was happening and I had no choice but to say what pleased them.
He argued that prosecutors had failed to establish malice aforethought, a crucial element required to sustain a murder conviction, insisting that the evidence presented does not support claims of deliberate action.
They did not make a strong case to show that I acted deliberately. Taking all the evidence together, it does not support the claim that I intentionally killed the four children.
The accused further dismissed allegations that the killings were ritualistic or driven by a desire for wealth, saying such claims were false and part of coerced statements.
“The claim that I killed for riches is not true. I said those things because I was coerced,” he stated.
Addressing other evidence, including violent videos and internet searches presented in court, Okello claimed these were not carried out willingly.
“There were factors that were forcing me. I did not do those things willingly,” he said.
In an effort to strengthen his defence, Okello described himself as a hardworking farmer with a promising future, arguing that his background and responsibilities made it unlikely he could commit such crimes.
I am a person of generally good moral character, hardworking, focused and resourceful. I had a bright future, people to look after and a business in the making. I could not do such a thing.
He told court he intends to rely on testimony from his father, former landlord, and business associates in Nwoya to support his claims.
A significant portion of his defence focused on what he described as a period of intense psychological distress between January and March this year. Okello alleged that unidentified individuals threatened him, demanded money, and monitored his movements in Bunga, where he lived.
“They would park and watch me. I was always on the run or hiding somewhere because I feared for my life,” he said.
According to Okello, the situation forced him to abandon his residence and live on the streets for a period of time.
“I stayed away from my house and lived on the streets because I did not feel safe,” he added.
He further suggested that the distress he experienced may have affected his mental state and actions.
“It is possible there were mental challenges that went undetected and contributed to what happened,” he said.
The trial is expected to continue as the defence presents its witnesses.
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