It's judgment day for Okello in Ggaba murder trial

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Ugandan High Court judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha is today (Thursday) expected to deliver the final verdict in a case in which Christopher Okello Onyum is accused of killing four toddlers earlier this month.

At the last appearance on Monday, the three-strong team of assessors decided that the 39-year-old Ugandan-born American is guilty of four counts of murder.

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Okello is on trial for the murders of Ryan Odeke, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Gideon Eteku and Ignatius Sseruyange — all aged under three — at Early Childhood Development Programme Centre in Ggaba, Makindye division.

In their layman's opinion, Musa Musana, Racheal Ainomugisha and Maria Theopista Kyolijja told the judge that the prosecution team led by chief state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya had sufficiently proved that Okello is culpable of the April 2 murders.

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They cited the medical reports of experts as proving that Okello was in a stable mental state at the time of committing the crimes.

The assessors also based their collective opinion on CCTV evidence presented in court as well as call data records and testimony from staff of the day care.

They said Muwaganya and co had not just placed Okello at the crime scene; they had also demonstrated his participation in the commission of the murders.

▪️ Experts who examined Ggaba accused murderer Okello testify in court

During the final submissions, the defence legal team of Richard Kumbuga and Sarah Awero argued that Okello was suffering from schizophrenia, a mental disorder, and therefore urged court to acquit their client.

Kumbuga particularly drew on the law to make a case for this client.

In his submission, citing the Penal Code Act, the defence lawyer argued that a person is not criminally responsible for any act of omission if, at the time of doing it, he or she is, through any disease affecting his or her mind, incapable of understanding his or her actions.

▪️ Okello faces uphill battle defending himself in Ggaba murder trial

While giving his unsworn testimony last week, Okello told court of how he had endured a "distressing period" between January and March this year.

He spoke of an unsettled period of being pursued by some people over money, which forced him into hiding.

▪️ Ggaba murder case: Okello’s witnesses cannot be found

Okello also said he tried to rob a bank as well as kill his brother's family.

Only two of his selected four witnesses showed up in court, with court failing to reach the other two.

▪️ 'I tried to rob a bank and kill my brother's family', Okello tells court

Judge Komuhangi heard all the sides, as well as the assessors. Now the country awaits her verdict.

Note: Okello's judgment will start at 10:00 am and will be streamed live on ViDE and our website. Be sure to catch it.