Ggaba Trial Continues Amidst ULS Move to Halt Proceedings
The trial of Christopher Okello Onyum resumed today despite the Uganda Law Society’s request to halt the proceedings.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has petitioned the High Court to stay the proceedings against the accused, alleging significant human rights violations.
In a letter dated April 14, 2026, addressed to Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka, the ULS revealed it has filed a human rights enforcement application (No. 170 of 2026) via the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
The society argues that the current criminal session at Ggaba Community Church has infringed upon several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
The ULS application specifically cites alleged violations of Articles 21(1), 38, 28(3)(a), 28(3)(c), 43, 44(c), 128(1), and 128(2) of the Constitution.
To justify the immediate suspension of the trial, Vice President Asiimwe Anthony pointed to the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act Cap 12, which mandates an immediate pause when rights violations are raised in court.
“Where, in any proceeding in the High Court, a question arises as to the violation of a fundamental right or freedom, the presiding judge shall immediately stay the proceedings and determine the question raised.”
The ULS intervention comes at a juncture in Criminal Court Session No. 132 of 2026 (Uganda v. Christopher Okello Onyum).
The trial resumed this morning in the open court at Ggaba, with the defense team cross-examination of the key prosecution witness, Phibby Namutebi.
Namutebi originally took the stand on Monday to provide her testimony against Onyum where she narrated the events prior, during and after the attack on the four children murdered on April 2,2026.
She told court this morning that the attack took about seven minutes for the assailant to kill all the four children. The victims are Gideon Eteku, Kaisha Agenwrot Atim, Ryan Odeke and Ignatius Sseruyange.
Defense lawyers have concluded their cross- examination on Namutebi as they attempt to challenge the prosecution’s narrative before Justice Khauka.
Prosecution has presented another witness, Annet Odong, the coordinator of Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre who interacted with accused shortly before the attack.
While the ULS letter did not detail the specific actions that triggered the filing, the Articles cited in their petition cover Article 21(1) on Equality and freedom from discrimination, Article 28(3) on the right to a fair hearing, including the right to be informed of the charge (a) and to be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of a defense, and Article 44(c) on Non-derogable rights, specifically the right to a fair trial, among others.
The ULS has requested the court to allocate an urgent hearing date for the enforcement application to resolve these constitutional questions before the trial of Mr. Onyum proceeds further.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has petitioned the High Court to stay the proceedings against the accused, alleging significant human rights violations.
In a letter dated April 14, 2026, addressed to Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka, the ULS revealed it has filed a human rights enforcement application (No. 170 of 2026) via the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
The society argues that the current criminal session at Ggaba Community Church has infringed upon several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
The ULS application specifically cites alleged violations of Articles 21(1), 38, 28(3)(a), 28(3)(c), 43, 44(c), 128(1), and 128(2) of the Constitution.
To justify the immediate suspension of the trial, Vice President Asiimwe Anthony pointed to the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act Cap 12, which mandates an immediate pause when rights violations are raised in court.
“Where, in any proceeding in the High Court, a question arises as to the violation of a fundamental right or freedom, the presiding judge shall immediately stay the proceedings and determine the question raised.”
The ULS intervention comes at a juncture in Criminal Court Session No. 132 of 2026 (Uganda v. Christopher Okello Onyum).
The trial resumed this morning in the open court at Ggaba, with the defense team cross-examination of the key prosecution witness, Phibby Namutebi.
Namutebi originally took the stand on Monday to provide her testimony against Onyum where she narrated the events prior, during and after the attack on the four children murdered on April 2,2026.
She told court this morning that the attack took about seven minutes for the assailant to kill all the four children. The victims are Gideon Eteku, Kaisha Agenwrot Atim, Ryan Odeke and Ignatius Sseruyange.
Defense lawyers have concluded their cross- examination on Namutebi as they attempt to challenge the prosecution’s narrative before Justice Khauka.
Prosecution has presented another witness, Annet Odong, the coordinator of Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre who interacted with accused shortly before the attack.
While the ULS letter did not detail the specific actions that triggered the filing, the Articles cited in their petition cover Article 21(1) on Equality and freedom from discrimination, Article 28(3) on the right to a fair hearing, including the right to be informed of the charge (a) and to be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of a defense, and Article 44(c) on Non-derogable rights, specifically the right to a fair trial, among others.
The ULS has requested the court to allocate an urgent hearing date for the enforcement application to resolve these constitutional questions before the trial of Mr. Onyum proceeds further.
URN
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