The prime suspect in the murder of four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development centre, Okello Christopher Onyum, has denied all the four murder charges against him as his public trial begun on Monday at Gaba Community School Grounds.
Last week, Okello was charged with four counts of murder, contrary to section 171 and 172 of the penal code act, cap 128.
Prosecution told court that Okello on the second day of April this year at Ggaba Early Childhood Development centre, Ggaba trading zone, Ggaba parish, Makindye Division Kampala district, with malice aforethought unlawfully caused deaths of Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenoroth, Sseruynage Ignatius, and Odeke Rayan.
However, Okello noted that he had understood the charges read before him, but denied having been the one who carried them out, which sent the gallery to gasp in disbelief.
“Yes My Lord, I have Understood the charge…., I plead not guilty to this charge My Lord” he said.
By entering a “Not Guilty Plea”, Okello has now set the hearing of the murder cases to commence which will require prosecution to present evidence against him, and him to put up a formidable defence to put him off the hook for murder in the weeklong trial, which is being heard before Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), investigations point to a carefully planned attack. The prosecution maintains that evidence will demonstrate a sequence of deliberate actions leading up to the killings.
“The prosecution’s case shall, at trial, reveal a sequence of deliberate and calculated actions preceding the attack. Investigations indicate that the accused planned the offence over several days before launching a violent assault on the children,” the DPP said in a statement.
The Public trial which will be held between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, is in response to public demand and guidance of President Yoweri Museveni.
Around the court seating, parents and relatives of the murdered children are present, along with state witnesses and members of the public.
There is heavy security deployment around the court area to deter any sort of violence that might erupt from area resident during the hearing, who wanted to lynch him on the day of the said murders.
