PRIME SUSPECT IN GGABA DAYCARE KILLINGS PLEADS NOT GUILTY

DAILY MONITOR

Christopher Okello Onyum, the prime suspect in the killing of four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, on Monday pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder before the High Court sitting in a mobile public trial at Ggaba.

In his maiden appearance before High Court Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, Okello told the court that he understood the charges preferred against him but denied responsibility for the gruesome April 2 killings.

“Not guilty,” Okello replied in an American accent when Justice Komuhangi asked him how he pleaded to the first count of murder.

The response drew audible shock from members of the public who had turned up in large numbers to witness the mobile court session, with some booing the suspect.

Justice Komuhangi immediately cautioned the crowd to maintain decorum, reminding them that the proceedings were a formal court sitting.

Before taking a plea, Okello briefly informed the court that he needed to consult with two of his state-appointed lawyers.

Following the consultation, the judge proceeded to read out all four murder charges against him, each of which he denied.

The prosecution is being led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya and Ms Anna Kiiza.

During the proceedings, Ms Kiiza began presenting the pieces of evidence that had been agreed upon by both the prosecution and the defence.

Among the evidence already admitted are four postmortem reports detailing the causes of death of the four toddlers who were allegedly killed in the attack that shocked the Ggaba community and the country at large.

Now that Okello has pleaded not guilty to the murder of the four toddlers, the prosecution side will proceed to present its evidence against him, which the judge will base on to determine his fate of either being guilty or not.