Court assessors have advised the High Court to convict Christopher Okello Onyum on all four counts of murder in connection with the killing of four toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in Ggaba.
The recommendation was delivered during proceedings presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha at the Ggaba Community Church grounds, where the trial has been taking place in a public setting that has drawn significant attention.
The three assessors—John Musana, Maria Kyobijja, and Rachael Ainomugisha—told court in their joint opinion that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that all the legal ingredients required to sustain a murder conviction had been satisfied.
However, Justice Komuhangi Khaukha emphasized that the assessors’ views are advisory and not binding on the court, stressing that the responsibility to make the final determination lies solely with her.
Prosecutors argued that medical evidence confirmed the deaths and pointed to severe neck injuries as the cause, adding that the nature of the wounds and the weapon allegedly used demonstrated clear intent.
They further relied on a combination of forensic and circumstantial evidence, including DNA analysis and the accused’s arrest at the scene, to link Okello directly to the crime.
On the question of mental state, the prosecution dismissed the defence’s claim of insanity, arguing that it had not been proven to the required standard. They maintained that the accused’s actions before and after the incident indicated awareness, which they said contradicts claims of mental instability.
The case has attracted widespread public interest, with emotional reactions from members of the community who have been closely following proceedings at the Ggaba Community Church grounds.
Okello is accused of carrying out the April 2 attack at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program, an incident that left four children dead and shocked the nation.
The court has now set Thursday as the day it will deliver its judgment, a decision that will determine whether Okello is convicted or acquitted of the charges.
On Monday, Christopher Okello Onyum closed his defence after his witnesses switched off their phones and could not be traced, as reported Here.
In his defence last week, Christopher Okello Onyum attempted to convince court regarding the intention to kill the four Ggaba daycare centre children and the distress he underwent. (See Details Here).
It should be remembered that the state prosecution presented CCTV evidence, phone records and online search history showing he targeted six other schools to pin Christopher Okello Onyum over the Ggaba daycare killings. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
