The High court has formally admitted a memorandum of agreed facts detailing the injuries that led to the deaths of four preschool children at Ggaba Childhood Development Centre.
Presiding over the mobile court at the scene of crime, lady justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha read the post-mortem findings into the record, confirming that both the prosecution and defence were in agreement on the forensic evidence presented.
The memorandum signed by the judge, prosecution, defence, and the accused, Christopher Okello Onyum, constitutes a formal record of facts not in dispute. The court admitted four post-mortem reports authored by Abdul Katongole, the prosecution’s first witness. Onyum denied the charges.
According to the medical findings, all four children died of hypovolemic shock resulting from severe cut wounds to the neck. The report indicates that Gideon Eteku, 2, sustained a deep neck wound that severed critical structures, including the oesophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels, and caused fractures to the cervical spine.
Keisha Agenrwot Atim, 2, and Ignatius Sseruyange, 3, also suffered fatal neck injuries, while Ryan Odeke sustained a similarly severe wound. The court heard that the injuries bore characteristics of a sharp-edged weapon, with smooth and regular wound margins, as detailed in the medical reports.
Justice Khaukha noted that in all cases, the wounds were sufficiently deep to damage underlying vessels and muscles, leading to fatal blood loss. The adoption of the memorandum marks a key procedural step, as it means the defence accepts the cause of death and the nature of the injuries, eliminating the need for the pathologist to undergo extensive cross-examination on the findings.
Addressing the accused directly, the judge asked whether he understood the contents of the document. Okello responded in the affirmative before appending his signature. The memorandum now forms part of the official court record as the trial proceeds, with the prosecution expected to present further evidence on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The court also swore in three assessors John Musana, Maria Teopista Kyobijja, and Racheal Ainomugisha, to assist in the hearing. The prosecution is led by chief state attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Ann Kizza, while the defence team comprises Richard Kumbuga and Sarah Awelo.
