Okello Seeks Dismissal of Murder Charges, Citing Weak Prosecution Case

In the 9th sitting of the High Court, Christopher Okello Onyum presented his defence in a case where he is charged with four counts of murder. The charges are that with malice aforethought, he caused the deaths of four children at Gaba Early Childhood Centre.

During his uninterrupted defence submission, Okello told court that he killed the four children but insisted the act was not intentional. He maintained that he did not deliberately kill them contrary to the prosecution’s assertions.

He further informed court that he was forced by police to confess stating that his statement was made under pressure and without a fair opportunity to challenge its contents.

Okello argued that the prosecution failed to prove intent adding that the evidence presented does not support a claim of deliberate murder. He also submitted that he was not in full control of his actions at the time suggesting that possible undetected mental challenges could have contributed to the incident.

He told court that the prosecution did not prove that he was mentally sound at the time of the incident and rejected claims that the alleged killings were motivated by wealth.

Okello also denied making intentional internet searches presented in court, claiming they were influenced by an unknown force.  He further alleged that unknown individuals trailing him contributed to his actions. The court will assess the defence raised including claims of surveillance, said the presiding Judge.

Okello further challenged the relevance of flash disk evidence presented by the prosecution arguing that it had no direct connection to the deaths of the children.

In his defence, Okello said he relied on some prosecution exhibits, including his police statement and asked court to dismiss all four counts citing what he described as a weak prosecution case.

He described himself as a person of good moral character, hardworking and focused on his future stating that he could not have conceived the idea of killing the children. He also pointed to his family responsibilities, including caring for his grandparents.

The defence indicated that its witnesses will include his father, former landlord and individuals who leased him land in Nwoya District.

Okello presented two witnesses before court both of whom requested protection and anonymity a status that was granted. The witnesses were cross examined.

Following this, the defence requested court to allow them to present a doctor from Butabika Hospital as a witness after one witness mentioned that Okello had previously been there a facility known for treating mental health conditions.

Court ruled that the defence did not demonstrate that Okello was mentally unstable and found no reason to summon a witness from Butabika.

However, court declined the request ruling that the defence had not demonstrated that Okello was mentally unstable and found no sufficient basis to summon a witness from Butabika.

The defence then requested more time to present its remaining two witnesses noting that earlier summons had not been successful.

Presiding judge Alice Komuhangi adjourned the matter to 27th April 2026 for further hearing of defence witnesses.

The court also indicated that proceedings will move from the trial location near the crime scene to the High Court in Nakasero, Kampala.