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Ugandan man sentenced to death for murder of four nursery school toddlers

During his trial, Mr Onyum admitted he killed the children as a “human sacrifice” to make him rich.

• April 30, 2026
Christopher Okello Onyum
Christopher Okello Onyum [Credit: The New Times]

Christopher Okello Onyum, the man convicted of fatally stabbing four Ugandan nursery school children, has been sentenced to death by hanging. 

Delivering judgment on Thursday at a makeshift High Court in the community where the killings occurred on April 2, Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka ruled: “I hereby sentence him to such a death.” 

The judge said Mr Onyum was “very sane” on the day he carried out the attack, adding, “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.

“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.”

Mr Onyum, 38,  a Ugandan and U.S. citizen, stormed the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program and stabbed four toddlers to death.

The victims were identified as Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenorwoth, Sseruyange Ignatius, and Odeke Ryan, all aged between one and two years. 

During his trial, Mr Onyum admitted he killed the children as a “human sacrifice” to make him rich.

However, he later claimed he was insane.

Mr Onyum has 14 days window to appeal the sentence. Although the last execution in Uganda was carried out in 2005, the country has not abolished the death penalty. 

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