In a highly anticipated and tightly secured public court session that is ongoing at the Ggaba Community Church grounds, Christopher Okello Onyum, the 39-year-old man accused of brutally murdering four toddlers at a local nursery school, entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.

The proceedings mark the first-ever mobile High Court trial in Uganda, convened in direct response to overwhelming public demand for transparency following one of the most shocking crimes in recent memory.

Justice Alice Komuhangi is presiding over the case, with the session expected to run for up to a week depending on its pace.

Heavy security forces, including police and military personnel, were deployed across the area as residents gathered to witness the hearing.

The tragic events unfolded on April 2, 2026, at the Gaba Early Childhood Development Centre, a nursery school in the bustling Kampala suburb of Ggaba.

According to police reports, Onyum gained access to the facility by disguising himself as a concerned parent. Once inside, he unleashed a frenzied machete attack on the children, stabbing four toddlers to death.

The victims—three boys and one girl, all under school age—were confirmed dead at the scene. Video footage circulating on local media showed distraught parents weeping as emergency services responded.

Onyum was arrested immediately by authorities at the site.

The attack sent shockwaves through Uganda, igniting widespread outrage over child safety at educational institutions and prompting urgent questions about security protocols in daycare centers.

The Uganda Police Force described the incident as a “heinous crime,” extending condolences to the grieving families while vowing a thorough investigation.

In the days that followed, public pressure mounted for swift and open justice.

President Yoweri Museveni directed that the trial be conducted publicly to ensure accountability and restore faith in the justice system.

The Judiciary responded by organizing this unprecedented mobile court session near the crime scene, allowing limited public attendance on a first-come, first-served basis.

Onyum first appeared before Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court earlier this month, where he was formally charged with four counts of murder. The case was fast-tracked and committed to the High Court, with the suspect remanded to Luzira Prison.

Prosecutors from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have maintained that Onyum was mentally fit to stand trial and acted with intent, reportedly dismissing earlier speculation about mental illness.

Some reports suggested a possible motive linked to ritualistic or wealth-seeking beliefs, though full details are expected to emerge during the trial.

Today’s hearing began under intense scrutiny.

As charges were read, Onyum appeared calm and composed, according to observers in the courtroom. When asked for his plea, he firmly stated “not guilty” to each of the four murder counts.

Court officials had indicated that a guilty plea could have led to immediate sentencing, but the not-guilty plea means proceedings will continue, with Tuesday set aside for case processing and evidence presentation resuming mid-week.

A verdict could come as early as Friday if the trial stays on schedule.

The Ggaba community remains deeply scarred.

The affected nursery has been closed by the Ministry of Education, and parents across Kampala have called for stricter vetting and security at schools.

Civil society groups, including the Uganda Law Society, have raised concerns about the mobile court format, citing potential logistical and fairness issues, but authorities insist it prioritizes public interest.

As the trial unfolds, families of the victims and the wider public await answers.

For many, today’s not-guilty plea signals the beginning of a long road to justice in a case that has tested Uganda’s resolve on protecting its most vulnerable.

The outcome will not only determine Onyum’s fate but could set a precedent for handling high-profile crimes in open forums.