Trial Begins for Man Accused of Killing Four Children in Uganda
Suspect pleads not guilty as emotional trial over kindergarten killings begins
- Suspect pleads not guilty to killing four toddlers as trial officially begins
- Prosecutors allege ritual motive, with earlier claims of a confession
- Emotional courtroom scenes as witnesses testify and parents recount tragic loss
A Ugandan man accused of murdering four young children at a kindergarten has pleaded not guilty as his trial officially commenced on Monday.
The suspect, Christopher Okello Onyum, was arrested on April 2 while reportedly attempting to flee the scene, according to authorities.
Prosecutors had earlier informed the court that Onyum allegedly confessed to carrying out the killings as part of a ritualistic human sacrifice.
Due to heightened public interest, the trial is being conducted in specially set-up tents to accommodate large crowds gathering to follow proceedings.
During the hearing, a staff member of the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre gave a disturbing account of the incident. She recounted initially thinking the suspect was disciplining a child, only to realise the severity of the situation when she saw blood and multiple victims amid the chaos.
She further testified that the accused was armed with a knife, chased staff members who attempted to intervene, and went on to attack another child.
Emotions ran high in court as parents shared heartbreaking accounts of their final moments with their children before receiving tragic news of the attack.
One mother, Stella Apolot, reportedly collapsed after delivering her testimony about her deceased child, highlighting the deep pain felt by families.
The case has been adjourned to Wednesday as proceedings continue in what has become a widely followed and deeply distressing trial.
