The High Court in Kampala has sentenced Christopher Okello Onyum to death after finding him guilty of murdering four toddlers at a daycare centre in Ggaba, in a case that has shocked the nation.
Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, delivering the judgment, described the killings as exceptionally brutal and premeditated, classifying them among the “rarest of the rare” crimes. The victims—Eteku Gideon, Keisha Ageno Ruth, Sseruyange Ignatius, and Odeke Rayan—were all between one and two years old.
According to evidence presented in court, the murders occurred on April 2 and were allegedly carried out as part of a ritual intended to generate wealth. The judge noted that the accused deliberately targeted highly vulnerable children who depended entirely on adults for care and protection, calling the acts deeply cruel and calculated.
Justice Komuhangi also pointed to the convict’s lack of remorse as a significant factor in determining the sentence. She said the punishment was meant not only to deliver justice for the victims and their families but also to serve as a strong deterrent against similar crimes.
Okello was convicted on four counts of murder and informed of his right to appeal the sentence within 14 days.
During sentencing, Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwanganya urged the court to impose the maximum penalty, arguing that a lesser punishment would fail to safeguard the public. He cited previous cases involving ritual killings to support his position.
The defence team, led by lawyer Sarah Awilo, had asked the court for leniency, highlighting that Okello was a first-time offender with a history of illness and a difficult upbringing. They argued that he could be rehabilitated. However, the court rejected these submissions. Okello declined to address the court and did not offer any apology.
The ruling was met with applause in the courtroom, reflecting strong public support for the decision. Meanwhile, residents of Ggaba remain in shock, with community members saying such an घटना had never happened in the area before.
Although Uganda retains the death penalty, executions have not been carried out since 1999, when 28 inmates were executed at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.