“Ggaba Suspect Christopher Okello Confessed to Killing Toddlers for Riches”- D/ASP Eserait James

The Ggaba Mobile High Court sat in stunned silence as a lead police detective recounted the harrowing confession of Christopher Okello Onyum, the prime suspect in the murder of four toddlers at a local daycare center.

Testifying before Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police (D/ASP) Eserait James, the Division CID Officer at Kabalagala Police, revealed that the suspect fully admitted to the April 2, 2026 killings shortly after his arrest, citing a chilling motive: the pursuit of wealth.

The Arrest and Initial Confession

D/ASP Eserait recounted arriving at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre around 11:30 AM to find a highly charged mob. Private security guards had already subdued Okello, who had sustained visible bruises to his arms, mouth, and forehead from the angry crowd.

After police safely evacuated the suspect to Kabalagala Police Station, Eserait initiated the first interrogation. “I asked him who he was, and he identified himself as Christopher Okello Onyum,” the detective testified. “When asked why he was at the police station, he said he had killed four children at the day-care.”

When pressed on his motive, Okello’s response sent a chill through the courtroom: “He told me he killed these children because he was looking for riches.”

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The prosecution’s case for premeditated murder was heavily bolstered by the detective’s testimony regarding Okello’s prior planning.

According to Eserait, the suspect confessed to carefully surveilling the school before the attack. “He noted that there was no security guard and mostly women were present,” the officer told the court.

Okello also admitted to purchasing several weapons specifically for the crime. This was backed by physical evidence presented in court—a set of six knives (five black and one grey) recovered from the suspect’s residence in Kyanja during a police search the following day. The knives were formally admitted as exhibits without objection from the defense team.

An Apology and Acceptance of Fate

Despite the gruesome nature of the crime, the detective noted a moment of startling clarity from the suspect during their interaction.

“He said he was sorry, he apologised and knew that what he had done had consequences,” Eserait recalled. “He said he could be jailed or even killed.”

Following the submission of the weapons and details of the forensic search at the Kyanja residence—where passports and electronics were also seized—Justice Komuhangi adjourned the trial to allow for the defense’s cross-examination of the detective.