Panic and confusion erupted at the High Court in Ggaba when a violent storm tore through a temporary courtroom tent, abruptly halting proceedings in the high-profile trial of Christopher Okello Onyum, the prime suspect in the murder of four children.
Strong winds blowing from Lake Victoria, accompanied by heavy rain and thunder, ripped into the tent moments after the court resumed from a lunch break. In the chaos, people ran for their lives as the structure began to give way. Several journalists were injured during the stampede, with some sustaining visible leg injuries, while others reported damage to their equipment as they struggled to escape the collapsing tent.
Security personnel scrambled to rescue the presiding judge, who was shielded and hurried into a waiting vehicle. In the process, her shoes reportedly fell off as guards pushed her to safety. Court exhibits, including laptops and mobile phones, were soaked as lawyers and court staff attempted to salvage critical evidence from the rain.
The dramatic interruption came shortly after the court heard striking testimony from a police cyber security analyst, Assistant Superintendent of Police Kenneth Henry Angulo. Angulo told court that forensic examination of four mobile phones belonging to the accused uncovered a series of alarming internet searches.
According to his testimony, Okello had searched for information related to gun acquisition procedures in Uganda and extremist content, including ISIS beheading videos. Investigators also discovered repeated searches for directions to various childcare facilities, including pre-schools, day-care centres, nursery and kindergarten schools.
The analyst further revealed that specific locations frequently searched included Kyanja Junior School, Matugga Pre School, Lam Kindergarten and Day Care Centre in Matugga, Mum Lover Kindergarten along Ssemuto Road, Edibete ECD on Kiti Road in Matugga, Golden Infant Kindergarten in Matugga, and Church Close in Ggaba.
In addition, the suspect was found to have downloaded and saved a copy of the book The Art of War by Sun Tzu onto a flash disk in November 2025.
The unexpected weather disruption left court officials, journalists, and members of the public reacting in shock, with some fleeing while others sought shelter from the pounding rain.
Following the incident, the court was adjourned to tomorrow morning.
