A man has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of four toddlers at a nursery school in Kampala, Uganda, earlier this month.
On April 2, Christopher Okello Onyum, 38, entered the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program and fatally stabbed four children — Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenorwoth, Sseruyange Ignatius, and Odeke Ryan — all between one and two years old.
Although Uganda has not abolished capital punishment, executions are rarely carried out, with the last recorded case in 2005.
Onyum, who holds both Ugandan and US citizenship, has 14 days to appeal the sentence.
Prosecutors said he initially admitted to the crime, calling it a “human sacrifice” he believed would bring him wealth. He later pleaded not guilty, claiming he was mentally ill at the time and could not form intent to kill. He asked the court to acquit him on grounds of insanity.
Presiding at a temporary High Court set up in the community, Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka ruled that Onyum was “very sane” on the day of the attack.
“I hereby sentence him to such a death,” she said, a decision met with cheers from the crowd.
“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, according to AFP. “I have also considered that the convict has not shown any remorse at all, because I would have at least expected an apology from him to the families of the babies.”
During the trial, the prosecution called 18 witnesses and presented forensic, digital, and eyewitness evidence. This included DNA linking Onyum to the handle of the kitchen knife used, CCTV footage of his movements before the attack, and call data placing him at the scene. Two daycare staff also testified that they saw him attack the toddlers.
