The High Court in Kampala has sentenced Christopher Okello Onyum to death for the murder of four toddlers at a daycare centre in Ggaba.
While delivering the sentence, Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha described the killings as falling within the “rarest of the rare” category, warranting the maximum penalty under the law.
She noted that although Uganda’s sentencing guidelines recommend a starting point of 35 years for murder, courts have the discretion to impose harsher penalties depending on the gravity of the offence.
“The convict meticulously planned and executed this crime,” the judge ruled, adding that Okello deliberately targeted defenceless children in what should have been a safe environment.
Justice Khaukha further observed that Okello showed no remorse throughout the trial and did not offer any apology to the victims’ families.
Okello was convicted and sentenced to death on four counts of murder, relating to the deaths of Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignatius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke. He has 14 days to appeal both the conviction and the sentence.
Prosecutors, Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza had urged the court to impose the death penalty, arguing that the murders were brutal and premeditated. The court agreed, noting that evidence presented—including expert testimony—suggested possible ritual motives behind the killings.
In mitigation, Okello declined to address the court. His defence lawyer cited his difficult upbringing and dysfunctional family background, but the judge dismissed these arguments, stating they could not justify the killing of innocent children.
The court said the sentence should serve as a strong deterrent against violent crime, particularly acts linked to ritual practices.
According to court records, on April 2, Okello attacked the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division, Kampala, and fatally stabbed four pupils.
Investigations revealed that a day before the incident, Okello visited the daycare centre and inquired about enrolling a child.
He returned the following day, entered the office, and paid Shs180,000 while posing as a parent seeking admission. Shortly afterwards, he carried out the attack.
