Four Toddlers Murdered, Killer Sentenced to Death — Now Museveni Wants to Know Where the Case Went

President Yoweri Museveni has questioned the handling of an appeal filed by Christopher Okello Onyum, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of four toddlers at a daycare centre in Ggaba, Kampala.

Museveni said the case appeared to have disappeared from public view after the accused challenged his conviction and sentence, raising questions about how high-profile criminal appeals are communicated to communities affected by serious crimes.

The President made the remarks on October 2, 2026, while addressing the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Caucus at Kololo in Kampala.

While recalling the Ggaba case, Museveni said he had previously intervened by urging the justice system to ensure that Onyum was tried over the deaths of the children.

“I begged the system. You go and try this boy there. They went and tried, but up to now, the case has disappeared,” Museveni said.

His comments came months after the High Court convicted Onyum following a trial that attracted considerable public attention because proceedings were taken closer to the community where the killings occurred.

Onyum was convicted by the High Court on April 30, 2026, following a public mobile trial held at Ggaba Community Church. Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha found him guilty of murdering four children and sentenced him to death.

Visit UHRC Sponsored The victims were identified as Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignatius Sseruyange and Ryan Odeke.

The four children were killed on April 2, 2026, at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, a tragedy that shocked residents and drew widespread attention to the safety of children in daycare facilities.

The prosecution case resulted in a closely watched trial, with families of the victims and members of the Ggaba community following proceedings as the court examined the circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths.

The mobile court arrangement allowed the proceedings to take place within the community instead of requiring residents and affected families to travel to the main court premises.

After his conviction, Onyum filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging both the guilty verdict and the death sentence imposed by the High Court.

Among his grounds of appeal, Onyum argued that the trial court had failed to properly evaluate the evidence presented during the proceedings. He also challenged the manner in which his defence concerning his mental state was handled, arguing that the court had wrongly rejected his position.

It is the appeal that Museveni appeared to be referring to when he questioned why the case was no longer as visible to the public as it had been during the original trial.

“If they appeal, why don’t you go and have the appeal heard there, where it was held?” Museveni asked.

The President also questioned whether justice proceedings, particularly those involving cases that have generated strong public interest, should remain accessible to the communities directly affected by the crime.

“Why don’t you people show the people that justice has been done?” he said.

Museveni’s remarks appeared to focus not only on the individual case but also on the relationship between justice institutions and the communities they serve.

He argued that courts and other justice institutions should maintain direct engagement with the public so that citizens can understand what happens to cases after they leave the initial trial stage.

“So I appeal to you, interact directly with the people, you will see. You go back to the NRM way,” Museveni said.

The President’s intervention has renewed public attention on the Ggaba daycare killings and the unresolved legal battle surrounding Onyum’s conviction.

The case has also reignited discussion about the use of mobile courts in handling matters that have a strong community dimension and whether similar approaches can be maintained when cases proceed to higher courts.

The original proceedings attracted substantial attention because the High Court temporarily relocated to Ggaba under the mobile court system. The arrangement enabled residents, relatives of the victims and other members of the community to follow the proceedings closer to the location where the children were killed.

For families affected by the tragedy, the movement of the trial to Ggaba meant that they could follow key stages of the case without having to travel to the main court premises.

However, the appeal process presents a different stage of the judicial system, with the Court of Appeal responsible for reviewing the grounds raised by the convicted person and determining whether the High Court’s decision should stand, be altered or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law.

The Court of Appeal remains responsible for determining the merits of Onyum’s appeal through established judicial procedures.

Museveni’s comments do not determine the outcome of the appeal, but they have placed renewed political and public attention on the case and on the broader question of transparency and public access to justice.

The President’s remarks also highlight the continuing tension between the need for judicial independence and the public desire for greater visibility in cases involving serious crimes.

As the appeal progresses, attention is likely to remain focused on whether the Court of Appeal will uphold the conviction and death sentence or reach a different conclusion after considering Onyum’s grounds of appeal.

The current status and scheduling of the appeal should be confirmed from the relevant court records.

For the families of Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignatius Sseruyange and Ryan Odeke, however, the case remains more than a legal proceeding. It is the pursuit of answers and accountability following the deaths of four young children whose killings shocked the Ggaba community.

Museveni’s intervention has now brought the case back into the national spotlight, with renewed calls for justice institutions to ensure that communities affected by major crimes are not left wondering what happens after a highly publicised trial moves into the appellate stage.

For inquiries, contact: [email protected]

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Ankole Times on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.