Rain Sweep Away Court Tent | Judge & Lawyers Run For Their Lives in okello case

This refers to a dramatic incident today (Wednesday, April 22, 2026) during the high-profile murder trial of Christopher Okello Onyum at the Ggaba Community Church grounds in Uganda. 

What Happened TodayDuring the afternoon session (hearing the final prosecution witness), a light drizzle quickly turned into a violent thunderstorm with strong winds and heavy rain. 

The main tent sheltering the presiding judge (Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha), the suspect (Okello), prosecutors, lawyers, and court officials was ripped apart and blown away. 

People, including the judge and lawyers, ran for their lives in panic as the structure collapsed.

Background on the CaseOkello Onyum:

A Ugandan-American national, is accused of the brutal stabbing deaths of four toddlers at a Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre (kindergarten/daycare) in March 2026. The trial is being conducted as a rare public/mobile court session in a large tent near the crime scene, ordered to allow community access and transparency. 

It began around April 13, 2026, with Okello pleading not guilty to four counts of murder. Proceedings have included witness testimonies, DNA evidence linking him to the knife, call data placing him at the scene, and discussions about his mental state. 

Security personnel and bodyguards quickly evacuated the judge, escorting her forcefully to her official vehicle. The public tent also shook violently, causing more scrambling. The session was abruptly adjourned; the hearing of the last witness was postponed. Nearby church members reportedly prayed intensely during the chaos.

No serious injuries were reported from the storm itself.  This is the latest disruption—the previous week, a prison van transporting Okello allegedly hit a journalist at the venue. 

Videos and photos circulating on social media, TikTok, Facebook (Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda), and X show the chaotic scenes of the tent being swept away, people fleeing, and the rainy conditions. Some commenters noted Okello remained relatively calm or that certain areas (like where he sat) were less affected.The trial is expected to resume soon (possibly Thursday or Monday, weather permitting), as it has drawn massive public interest.