A trial in a tent draws crowds as Uganda debuts mobile court for man accused of killing 4 kids

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The trial of a Ugandan man accused of killing four children began on Monday in a tent not far from where the crime was committed, after the president ordered a mobile court session that could be attended by locals.

It is the first test of the country's controversial mobile court sessions intended to allow people to directly follow cases that draw widespread public interest.

The suspect, Christopher Okello Onyum, is accused of killing the children in a machete attack inside a nursery school in a suburb of the Ugandan capital of Kampala on April 2. The motive remains unclear in the incident that shocked many in this East African country.

Onyum on Monday pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder.

Witnesses said the attacker targeted a nursery school known as Gaba Early Childhood Development Program by disguising himself as a parent. He is said to have briefly talked to administrators there before locking the gate and then attacking the children.

An angry crowd later tried to lynch Onyum, who was rescued and taken into custody by police. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

President Yoweri Museveni’s order to have the case tried quickly and in the very public setting of a mobile court has proved controversial, with some critics saying it threatens to sensationalize a matter of obvious pain for the bereaved while also interfering with justice.

In a statement, the Uganda Law Society said the president’s directive amounted to executive interference and undermined the suspect’s right to a fair trial.

“This is not justice,” the society said in a statement. “It’s a judicial lynching rally.”

Hundreds of people gathered for the trial, which was being held in a large tent erected in the grounds of a church.

This is the first time mobile courts are being put into practice after a legal notice with formal directives for their operations were published in March.

The judiciary defended the decision, saying it highlighted its “commitment to taking justice closer to the people through innovative approaches.”

Christopher Okello Onyum, a man accused of killing four children, appears in court at the Ggaba Community Church grounds in Kampala, Uganda, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

Christopher Okello Onyum, a man accused of killing four children, is escorted in court at the Ggaba Community Church grounds in Kampala, Uganda, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

Christopher Okello Onyum, a man accused of killing four children, appears in court at the Ggaba Community Church grounds, in Kampala, Uganda, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

The crime scene after a man killed four children in a machete attack at the Gaba Early Childhood Development Program nursery school in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo)

A security personnel secures the crime scene after a man killed four children in a machete attack at the Gaba Early Childhood Development Program nursery school in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo)

Uganda police officers stand at the crime scene after a man killed four children in a machete attack at the Gaba Early Childhood Development Program nursery school in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo)

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's Viktor Orbán had such an outsize global influence that his crushing electoral defeat is resounding far and wide.

Here's how global leaders reacted, in their own words. There was no immediate comment from the Trump administration, which campaigned for Orban.

Orbán repeatedly blocked aid for Ukraine to fend off Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly reached out to incoming leader Péter Magyar in hopes of support.

‘’It is important when constructive approach prevails. Ukraine has always sought good-neighbourly relations with everyone in Europe and we are ready to advance our cooperation with Hungary,'' he posted on social media.

‘’We are ready for meetings and joint constructive work for the benefit of both nations, as well as peace, security, and stability in Europe,'' Zelenskyy said.

Orban was Russia's closest ally in the European Union, and courted China. Both countries seemed to distance themselves from him after Magyar's win.

“Hungary has made its choice, and we respect that choice,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “We expect to continue our very pragmatic contacts with the new Hungarian leadership.”

Asked about the impact of Hungary’s vote on the conflict in Ukraine, Peskov responded that “I don’t think this has anything to do with the future of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.''

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in Beijing that “China attaches great importance to the development of China-Hungary relations and stands ready to work with Hungary’s new government based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.”

Orbán was constantly critical of the EU, even though his country enjoys billions in funding from the bloc.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a frequent target of Orbán's pronouncements, said, ‘’Europe is Hungarian today.''

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy.''

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz messaged Magyar: ‘’Let’s join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe. Gratulálok, kedves Magyar Péter!”

French President Emmanuel Macron said that "France welcomes the victory of democratic participation, the Hungarian people’s commitment to the values of the European Union.''

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, traveling in South Korea, posted a video clip apparently showing him speaking to Magyar by phone while overlooking the Korean capital.

“Oh, I am so happy. I think I am happier than you, you know,” Tusk said in English.

In his victory speech, Magyar said that his first foreign stop would be to Poland, which has historically had friendly ties to Hungary.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni thanked her ‘’friend Viktor Orbán'' for their collaboration. ‘’I know that even from the opposition he will continue to serve his Nation.''

France's far-right National Rally, jockeying to replace Macron in the French presidency next year, supported Orbán and tread cautiously after his defeat.

‘’This result, respectfully welcomed by Viktor Orbán, shows that the incessant accusations by European institutions in recent years against Hungarian democracy were unfounded,'' posted the party's president, Jordan Bardella.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his part, offered his “heartiest congratulations” to Magyar on X.

“I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation and to advance the vital India-EU Strategic Partnership for the shared prosperity and well-being of our peoples,” he wrote.

FILE - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban waves has he walks onto stage to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero,File)

FILE - President Donald Trump, left, greets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell,File)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, center, addresses after a parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)