A 34-year-old man accused of murdering four children at a daycare centre in Ggaba had recently returned to Uganda from the United States and allegedly carried out the attack in pursuit of wealth through human sacrifice, according to prosecution.
Christopher Okello Onyum was recently charged with four counts of murder contrary to Sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act and committed to the High Court for trial.
Prosecution alleges that on April 2, 2026, at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, Onyum “with malice aforethought” caused the deaths of Ignatius Sseruyange, Ryan Odeke, Keisha Ogenorwoth Otim, and Gideon Oteku.
Court documents indicate that the suspect, who reportedly holds American citizenship, returned to Uganda on February 9, 2026, through the Busia border.
Premeditated attack
According to the indictment, the attack was carefully planned in the days leading up to the incident.
On March 31, Onyum reportedly rented a Toyota RAV4 (registration number UAM 645M) from a local car hire service to facilitate his movements.
“On April 1, 2026, the accused drove the vehicle from Kyanja to Ggaba… and visited Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre under the guise of seeking admission for his child to survey the premises,” the prosecution states.
While at the facility, he reportedly interacted with a caretaker, Phoebe Namutebi, who briefed him on admission requirements, including financial contributions.
Execution of the attack
Investigators say Onyum purchased several knives days before the incident and returned to the centre on April 2.
On the day of the attack, he reportedly paid Shs195,000 via mobile money to the school administration before launching the assault.
“The accused exited the office and immediately initiated a violent assault on the children playing in the compound,” the indictment reads.
“He used a knife to systematically attack the four victims.”
When a caretaker attempted to intervene, the suspect allegedly threatened her.
“When Ms Namutebi attempted to intervene, the accused threatened her life, causing her to fall while he continued the assault,” prosecutors state.
Onyum was subdued by security personnel at the centre and members of the public.
During his arrest, he reportedly attempted to dispose of the murder weapon, described as a bloodstained knife.
Prosecution further states that the suspect later recorded a charge and caution statement in which he “confessed to killing all the four deceased children.”
A medical report recovered from the suspect’s residence in Kyanja, dated December 30, 2025, indicated that he had no diagnosed mental disorder.
The report, authored by a psychiatrist from C-Care IHK and addressed to the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, found him “sane and mentally fit to live and work in Uganda.”
“He was observed to have no odd behaviour… calm, cooperative, with coherent speech, intact memory and good judgement,” the report states.
However, it also noted that he “believed in wealth by human sacrifice” and reportedly “explained the reason for killing the children as fortune hunting or enrichment,” although he claimed a history of past mental illness.
Onyum is expected to stand trial at the High Court, with proceedings anticipated to be conducted at the scene of the crime following guidance from President Yoweri Museveni.
The case has sparked shock and outrage across the country, raising renewed concerns over ritual-related crimes and the safety of children.
