WATCH VIDEO: Judges in Christopher Okello Onyum’s Case Join Forces to Pray For the Rain to Go Away

Judges, lawyers and court officials paused the murder trial of Christopher Okello Onyum on Thursday morning to pray for the rain to stop, after a heavy downpour disrupted proceedings at the Ggaba Community Church grounds where the High Court session is being held.

Video footage shared by Galaxy FM Uganda shows the judicial team standing outdoors in pouring rain and strong winds, praying aloud together before resuming the hearing. The clip spread rapidly on social media, drawing reactions ranging from amusement to serious debate about the role of religion in Uganda’s justice system.

Okello Onyum, a 39-year-old dual Ugandan-American citizen, is on trial for the alleged stabbing deaths of four toddlers at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre on April 2, 2026. The children were aged between 15 months and two and a half years. Prosecutors say he entered the facility posing as a parent before carrying out the attack, which he allegedly described in some statements as “human sacrifices” meant to bring him wealth. He has pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder and has been declared fit to stand trial following medical evaluations, despite a diagnosed sickle-cell condition.

Thursday’s disruption was not the first weather-related interruption this week. On previous days, strong winds blew off the protective tents sheltering the judge, prosecutors and the accused, forcing brief adjournments each time. Rather than adjourning again or moving the session indoors, the team chose to pray for the weather to clear.

The trial is being held as a mobile High Court session at the church grounds to accommodate the large public interest the case has generated. Community members have attended in significant numbers, reflecting widespread demand for accountability in what many are calling one of the most shocking crimes in Uganda in recent memory.

Evidence presented so far includes call data records placing Okello Onyum at the scene, witness testimony and police findings. Graphic details have also emerged during hearings, including alleged internet searches he made on beheading methods ahead of the attack.

While prayer is a common feature of Ugandan public life, its use during an active court proceeding has divided opinion online. Some commentators described it as a genuine expression of the country’s Christian values and a practical response to difficult conditions. Others questioned whether it was appropriate for a formal judicial process.