The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned four murder charges against Christopher Okello Onyim over last week’s killing of four children at a daycare centre in Ggaba, a Kampala suburb.

Onyim appeared on Tuesday before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makindye, where the charges were read to him following the April 2 attack at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division.

According to the charge sheet, prosecutors allege that Onyim, “with malice aforethought,” unlawfully caused the deaths of Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Sseruyange Ignitius and Odeke Ryan.

He was remanded to prison until April 8, when the matter will return to court for mention. 

The prosecution is being handled by Chief State Attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza, appearing before Senior Magistrate Grade I Nanjala Aidah.

Under Ugandan law, murder cases are tried by the High Court, meaning the Makindye court will only handle preliminary proceedings before the file is committed for trial. 

The charges follow a brutal attack at a daycare centre in Ggaba that has left the country in shock and mourning. Police have said Onyim, a returnee who had lived in the United States for more than 20 years, is believed to have first visited the school posing as a parent before returning to carry out the attack.

The incident has raised serious concerns among parents and education authorities about safety in early childhood centres, particularly the screening of visitors and access control.

Families of the victims continue to grieve as the case begins its journey through the courts, with many Ugandans now looking to the justice system for answers and accountability.

Authorities say investigations are still ongoing, even as prosecutors prepare to present evidence in one of the most disturbing child-killing cases in recent years.

By ChimpReports