By Ben Musanje
Police have attributed a Wednesday morning accident at Ggaba Trading Centre to brake failure on a security vehicle transporting a murder suspect, following a chaotic incident that left a journalist seriously injured.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala, the accident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on April 15, 2026, between Maranatha Primary School and Maranatha High School near the mobile court premises at Ggaba Community Church.
Police said the vehicle involved, a Toyota Hiace registration number UU 00067 T, was transporting a suspect identified as Christopher Okello Onyum when it reportedly developed a mechanical fault.
“It is alleged that the vehicle developed a brake failure upon reaching the Mobile Court premises, causing it to knock down a pedestrian,” Kawala stated.
The victim was identified by police as Ronald Mulwana, a 28-year-old journalist, who was immediately rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment.
The incident occurred shortly before the start of a high-profile court session in which Onyum, a Ugandan-cum-American national, is facing charges related to the alleged murder of children in Ggaba.
Eyewitnesses, however, described a more dramatic sequence of events, saying the vehicle appeared to reverse uncontrollably down a sloping driveway toward a group of journalists and security personnel gathered at the venue.
Several people narrowly escaped being hit, with two police officers reportedly jumping out of the vehicle’s path at the last moment. Journalists covering the trial also scrambled for safety as the van accelerated backwards.
In the ensuing chaos, the victim—identified by some witnesses as a reporter attached to an online platform—was struck and run over by the vehicle. Bystanders said the van rolled over his body before coming to a stop further down the slope.
Video footage circulating online shows the vehicle reversing at speed as people shout warnings and scatter.
The injured journalist was quickly loaded into a police vehicle and rushed to Mulago Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention. His condition had not been officially confirmed by press time.
The accident happened before court proceedings had commenced, as officials were still preparing for the second day of the mobile court session being held at Ggaba Community Church.
Police have since launched investigations into the incident to establish the exact cause of the brake failure and any possible liability.
The case involving Onyum has drawn significant public attention, with heavy security deployment and a large media presence at the venue.
Authorities say more details will be provided as investigations progress. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
