Phibby Namutebi, a caretaker at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, has told the mobile High court how she struggled to save children during the attack, saying the assailant turned on her and chased her with a knife.
Her testimony marked the close of the first day of the trial of Christopher Onyum Okello, who is facing charges over the murder of four toddlers on April 2, 2026. Namutebi’s account followed emotional testimony from grieving parents, shifting proceedings from the aftermath of the tragedy to the moments the violence unfolded.
She told the court that her first encounter with the accused occurred on April 1, when he visited the centre seeking daycare placement for a three-year-old child. Although she advised that the child was old enough for nursery school, he reportedly insisted, saying the child needed more time to socialise.
The following morning, he returned and was allowed entry after being recognised by staff, in order to meet the administrator, Annet Odongo.
“He was carrying a bag, which we assumed was the child’s school bag,” Namutebi testified. Posing as a Good Samaritan, the suspect paid Shs 195,000 via mobile money for the enrolment of a child identified as Zuriel Onyum.
“After completing the process, he was issued a receipt and thanked. We expected the child to start on Tuesday, after Easter,” she said.
Moments later, what appeared to be a routine transaction turned violent. Instead of leaving the premises, the accused launched what Namutebi described as a sudden and systematic attack on children in the compound.
“I rushed to the gate and saw Keisha Agenrwot Atim lying in a pool of blood,” she said.
In a desperate attempt to intervene, Namutebi said she grabbed a child’s bicycle and threw it at the attacker, but fell in the process.
“By the time I got up, he had already cut another child,” she testified. She described a chaotic scene in which she repeatedly tried to distract the attacker.
“I picked another bicycle and threw it at him as he moved to attack another child,” she said.
At one point, the attacker turned on her.
“He chased me. I ran for my life. I fell three times, and he approached me with a knife. I thought he was going to cut me, but he didn’t, he went back to the children,” she told the court.
The last victim she saw being attacked was Ryan Odeke. The violence was eventually stopped when a man identified as Silas Odeke, who had been working in a nearby church compound, responded to the commotion alongside a security guard and other bystanders.
As they closed in, the suspect threw a knife over the school fence. However, upon apprehending him and placing him in a security room to shield him from an angry crowd, two additional knives were reportedly recovered from his socks.
Earlier in the session, the court heard emotional testimony from parents of the victims. Lawrence Mbazira, father of two-year-old Ignatius Sseruyange, recounted his son’s final moments.
“He said, ‘Goodbye, Dad,’ as he left [in the morning]. He even asked why I hadn’t responded to his greeting. I told him I had and repeated, ‘Goodbye, son,’” Mbazira said.
Hours later, the child was dead. Simon Okurut, father of Ryan Odeke, told court he abandoned his car in traffic and ran to the school, where he found his son lying on the veranda.
Stella Apolot, mother of Gideon Eteku, said she collapsed upon arrival at the school after receiving no response when she called her son’s name. The session was presided over by Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, who offered words of comfort to the bereaved families.
Despite a request by chief state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya for an adjournment, the court proceeded with Namutebi’s testimony following protests from members of the public gallery.
The trial continues, with forensic post-mortem reports detailing fatal neck injuries already admitted as part of the court record. Proceedings have been adjourned to April 15, 2026, when Namutebi is expected to be cross-examined by the defence. Despite heavy rainfall, members of the public remained in attendance throughout the day, underscoring the intense public interest in the case.
