KAMPALA.Court has heard that Christopher Okello Onyum confessed to killing four toddlers, apologised for his actions, and admitted he was aware of the consequences he faced.
Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police James Eserait , the Division CID Officer at Kabalagala Police Station, testified that the suspect made the admission shortly after his arrest on April 2, 2026.
“He told me he was arrested after killing four children at a day-care centre in Ggaba,” Eserait told court.
Eserait, 40, said he was alerted about the attack at around 11:30am and immediately mobilised a team of detectives and Scene of Crime Officers to respond.
“On arrival, we found a huge crowd of community members who were highly charged,” he said, adding that police had to disperse them to secure the scene and evacuate the suspect safely.
The suspect had already been arrested by private security guards and was being held at the school.
“He was later picked and taken to Kabalagala Police Station,” Eserait testified.
According to the officer, the suspect appeared visibly injured.
“I observed bruises on his arms, mouth and forehead. He later told me he had been beaten by the mob,” he said.
At the police station, Eserait said he personally interacted with Okello in what he described as an initial conversation.
“I asked him who he was, and he identified himself as Christopher Okello Onyum,” he told court.
When asked why he was at the police station, the suspect reportedly admitted to the killings.
“He said he had killed four children at the day-care,” Eserait testified.
Pressed on his motive, the suspect gave a chilling response.
“He told me he killed these children because he was looking for riches,” the officer said.
Eserait further told court that the suspect admitted to planning the crime.
“He said he took time surveilling the school and noted that there was no security guard and mostly women were present,” he said.
According to the testimony, Okello also revealed that he had prepared for the attack.
“He told me he bought several knives before the murder and used some of them in committing the crime,” Eserait said.
In a moment that stunned the courtroom, the officer recounted the suspect’s final remarks during their interaction.
“He said he was sorry, he apologised and knew that what he had done had consequences,” Eserait testified. “He said he could be jailed or even killed.”
The court later saw physical evidence backing this claim when a set of six knives allegedly linked to the suspect was presented.
“Six knives, five black and one grey, were recovered from the accused’s residence,” Eserait said.
The knives were tendered in court and admitted as exhibits without objection from the defence.
“These are the knives he indicated he had procured in preparation for the crime,” the officer added.
Eserait also led a search at the suspect’s residence in Kyanja the following day, where multiple items, including passports, electronics, and documents, were recovered and submitted for forensic analysis.
The prosecution argues that the confession, combined with the recovered weapons, demonstrates both intent and premeditation in the killings.
The trial Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha has adjourned the matter until further cross-examination.