Christopher Okello Onyum, a 38-year-old dual Ugandan and US citizen, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the brutal murder of four toddlers at a nursery school in Kampala, Uganda. The attack occurred on April 2 at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program, where Onyum stabbed the children—Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenorwoth, Sseruyange Ignatius, and Odeke Ryan—all aged between one and two years old.
While Uganda retains the death penalty, executions are rare; the last known hanging took place in 2005. Onyum has 14 days to appeal the sentence.
During the trial, prosecutors presented 18 witnesses along with forensic, digital, and eyewitness evidence. DNA linked Onyum to the handle of the kitchen knife used in the attack, CCTV footage tracked his movements, and call data placed him at the scene. Two daycare staff testified they saw him attacking the children.
Initially, Onyum admitted the crime, claiming it was a "human sacrifice" to make him rich. He later changed his plea to not guilty, arguing mental illness prevented him from forming intent to kill. Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka rejected this defense, stating Onyum was "very sane" on the day of the attack.
"He targeted them in their defenceless state and went ahead to slaughter them like animals... and had no fear, no shame, no consideration for human life," Justice Khauka said. She noted that Onyum showed no remorse, having failed to apologize to the victims' families. The sentence was met with cheers from the community.