Uganda court sentences man to death for killing four children at nursery

A Ugandan court has sentenced Christopher Okello Onyum to death following his conviction for the fatal stabbing of four young children at a Kampala nursery school on April 2.

The victims, aged between one and three years old, were killed during an attack that lasted less than seven minutes. Onyum gained entry to the facility by posing as a parent, after which he locked the gate and carried out the assault.

Following the attack, an angry crowd of parents attempted to lynch the perpetrator before a security guard intervened and subdued him, according to police reports.

Evidence of premeditation

The court examined digital evidence that revealed Onyum had conducted online searches for "schools near me" and "ISIS beheadings" on his mobile phone and laptop prior to the attack. The judge cited this as clear indication of premeditation and planning.

During the proceedings, the court rejected Onyum's insanity defense. The presiding judge determined that the "accurate and precise manner" of the killings demonstrated they were premeditated acts, characterizing the attack as treating the children "like animals."

The judge also noted Onyum's failure to express remorse or apologize to the victims' families as evidence of his lack of contrition.

Witness testimony

A nursery staff member provided testimony detailing the horrific discovery and her attempts to intervene. She described finding one child in a "pool of blood" and confronting Onyum during the attack.

"He got up and had a knife in his hand. He was so quick that he immediately grabbed another child," the staff member testified. "I picked up one of the children's bicycles and threw it at him. When I threw the bicycle, he let go of the child and started chasing me. I ran, but later fell. When I got up, I realised he had cut the second child."

Capital punishment context

While capital punishment remains legal in Uganda, executions are extremely rare. The last execution in the country was carried out more than two decades ago, making this death sentence notable within Uganda's current judicial landscape.