Driver of Prison Vehicle That Knocked Journalist Arrested

The driver of the prison vehicle which was carrying murder suspect Christopher Okello Onyum to the High Court in Ggaba on Wednesday but reportedly lost control and rammed into journalists at the court premises has been arrested, with the car towed to Kabalagala for inspection, police have confirmed.

Okello, who is facing charges related to the alleged murder of four children under the age of three at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, was being transported to court in a Uganda Prisons Service vehicle, registration number UU 00067 T, a Toyota Hiace (commonly referred to as a “Drone”).

According to reports, the driver lost control of the vehicle due to brake failure.

The vehicle veered off course and ploughed into members of the press who had gathered to cover the proceedings.

In the incident, Ronald Mulwana, a 28-year-old journalist known for operating a TikTok account under the name “PL on TV,” was struck and reportedly run over multiple times before bystanders intervened.

Journalists at the scene stated that the incident unfolded within seconds, leaving little time to react.

They had positioned themselves to capture the arrival of the suspect under escort, a key moment in court reporting.

Several pieces of equipment, including cameras, tripods, and transmission cables, were damaged during the chaos.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, SP Racheal Kawala, confirmed that the driver of the vehicle has since been arrested and taken to a police station in Kampala to record a statement and assist with ongoing investigations. She further noted that the vehicle has been impounded as part of the inquiry.

“The victim was rushed to Mulago Hospital for medical attention as investigations continue. The vehicle has been towed to Kabalagala Police Station pending IOV inspection,” SP Kawala stated.

Despite the disruption caused by the incident, court proceedings resumed, and Okello was later produced before the court for continuation of the hearing.

The prosecution indicated that it has a total of eight eyewitnesses lined up to testify, including Annet Odong, the school’s coordinator amongst others.

In contrast to Monday’s session, which drew large crowds at the Ggaba court, attendance during the latest proceedings was notably low.

The tent designated for the public was sparsely populated, with many seats left empty.

Some residents attributed the earlier high turnout to expectations that the case would be handled swiftly, while others expressed dissatisfaction with how the proceedings have been managed.

Tensions resurfaced when the court was adjourned for a third time after Okello informed the judge that he was not in a stable emotional state to proceed.

Residents voiced frustration with the court’s decision to prioritize the accused’s request, noting that they had spent long hours at the venue without access to basic provisions such as food.