A Ugandan court has handed down the death sentence to a dual-national attacker after a shocking kindergarten massacre in Kampala left four toddlers dead—triggering national outrage and grief.

A Ugandan court has sentenced Christopher Okello Onyum to death for the brutal killing of four young children at a daycare centre in Kampala.

CBI News notes that Onyum, who holds both Ugandan and US citizenship, was arrested on April 2 while attempting to flee the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, where the victims—aged between 15 months and two-and-a-half years—were attacked.

Prosecutors told the court that Onyum initially confessed, claiming he carried out the killings as a “human sacrifice” in a bid to gain wealth. However, he later pleaded not guilty during the trial.

The presiding judge dismissed his insanity defence, stating that the calculated and methodical nature of the attack clearly showed premeditation.

“I hereby sentence him to suffer death,” the judge ruled, drawing applause from members of the public in the courtroom.

In her judgment, she condemned the act as particularly heinous, noting that the victims were targeted in a completely defenceless state. She also pointed out the lack of remorse shown by the convict, emphasizing that no apology was offered to the grieving families.

The court further heard that Onyum had conducted disturbing online searches, including videos of extremist violence and information about schools with young children. However, authorities said there was no confirmed political or religious motive behind the attack.

Testimonies during the trial painted a harrowing picture. A staff member at the daycare recounted the moment she realized the severity of the situation.

“At first I thought he was beating a child,” she told the court. “But then I saw one of the children lying in a pool of blood.”

She described how the attacker, armed with a knife, moved quickly between victims. In a desperate attempt to stop him, she threw a bicycle at him, but he pursued her before continuing the attack.

Parents of the victims also gave emotional testimonies, recounting their final moments with their children and the devastating phone calls that led them to the hospital, where they discovered the tragic outcome.

The case has sparked widespread outrage across Uganda, with renewed calls for stronger child protection measures and security in early childhood centres.

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