Govt Announces Open Trial in Gaba Child Killings Case

The Government of Uganda has announced that the trial of a suspect in the recent killing of children in Gaba will begin on Monday, April 13, in a move aimed at promoting transparency and public participation in the justice process.

The suspect. Christopher Okello Onyum was earlier this week committed to High Court for trial.

In a statement on Friday, Minister of State for Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, expressed appreciation to the Joint Security Forces, including the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT), Crime Intelligence, and other intelligence agencies, for what he described as a “speedy, thorough and comprehensive” investigation into the incident.

The Minister also commended the Judiciary, for facilitating an expedited trial in response to the gravity of the case and widespread public concern.

Authorities confirmed that the trial will be conducted in an open court setting to allow public observation of the proceedings.

The hearing will run for one week, with daily sessions scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members of the public will be allowed to attend, subject to limited courtroom capacity of up to 1,000 people, on a first-come, first-served basis. No additional entry will be permitted once capacity is reached.

To accommodate broader public interest, the government has put in place additional measures, including screens and loudspeakers at the venue to enable those outside the courtroom to follow proceedings in real time. The trial will also be broadcast live on major television stations nationwide.

Authorities have issued security guidelines urging attendees to avoid carrying bags or unnecessary items to ease screening and ensure safety at the venue.

In a significant decision, the trial will be held at Gaba Community School Grounds, the scene of the crime, in line with public interest and guidance from the President to enhance openness and public confidence in the justice system.

The government has encouraged parents and members of the public to participate in the process, emphasizing collective responsibility in the pursuit of justice.

“This is a moment for the nation to stand together in pursuit of justice, especially for the innocent lives lost,” Balaam said.

The trial is expected to attract national attention as Ugandans seek accountability and closure following one of the most disturbing incidents involving children in recent times.