Christopher Okello Onyum has been sentenced to death by the High Court in Kampala in a chilling conclusion to one of the most disturbing child murder cases in recent memory, with the judge laying bare his cold silence, lack of remorse and the horrifying nature of the attack on four innocent toddlers at Ggaba Early […]
Christopher Okello Onyum has been sentenced to death by the High Court in Kampala in a chilling conclusion to one of the most disturbing child murder cases in recent memory, with the judge laying bare his cold silence, lack of remorse and the horrifying nature of the attack on four innocent toddlers at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre.
In dramatic scenes before the sentence was delivered, Justice Alice Komuhangi Kyomuhangi first turned to the parents and relatives of the slain children who were present in court, asking them to confirm whether the prosecution’s demand for the maximum punishment truly reflected their feelings and wishes, but grief overwhelmed many, with some unable to speak and one mother reportedly too broken to even step into the courtroom, forcing relatives to stand in on behalf of the families.
The judge then shifted her attention to the convicted man, giving him a final opportunity to speak in his defence and explain why he should not be handed the ultimate punishment under the law, reminding him clearly that the crimes he had been convicted of carried a maximum sentence of death, and even urging him to apologise not just to the families but to the country.
But in a moment that left the courtroom stunned, Onyum declined, calmly telling the court he had nothing to say, offering no apology, no explanation, and no sign of remorse for the lives he had taken or the devastation left behind.
His defence lawyer, Awero, then stepped in, acknowledging the gravity of the case but pleading for leniency, telling court that Onyum was a first-time offender with no previous criminal record, came from a deeply dysfunctional family where even siblings do not communicate, and had shown signs of productivity in society, including purchasing land in Nwoya, while also urging the court to consider the time he had already spent on remand.
The defence also reminded court of its constitutional obligation to provide representation to all persons charged with capital offences, noting that justice must still be administered fairly regardless of the nature of the crime, and prayed for mercy even as they extended condolences to the grieving families and the wider community.
However, Justice Kyomuhangi was not persuaded.
In a powerful and scathing sentencing ruling, she said she had carefully weighed all factors but found that the crimes committed were premeditated, deliberate and executed with shocking cruelty, targeting defenceless children who depended entirely on adults for protection, and carried out in broad daylight without fear, shame or regard for human life.
She told court that the children were attacked in what should have been their safest space, a place of care and protection, and that the accused had exploited that trust to gain access before unleashing a brutal attack.
The judge noted that the violence was so calculated and relentless that had he not been stopped, more children would have been killed, adding that even those who tried to intervene were threatened, while others who had treated him with kindness could only watch helplessly as the attack unfolded.
She further condemned his conduct in court, pointing out that he showed no remorse throughout the proceedings and failed to apologise even when confronted with the raw pain of the victims’ families, including the moment when one of the mothers collapsed in the courtroom.
Justice Kyomuhangi dismissed arguments that his difficult family background could mitigate the offence, stating firmly that no upbringing, however troubled, could justify the slaughter of innocent children.
She also placed weight on expert testimony, particularly from Dr Nuwamanya, indicating that the killings could have been linked to ritual motives, and agreed with the prosecution that the case falls within the “rarest of the rare” category, involving the deliberate killing of four very young children.
In one of the most striking parts of her ruling, the judge said the sentence must not only punish the accused but also send a strong and unmistakable warning to others, including any individuals he refused to name, and to anyone who believes in ritual sacrifice or violence for wealth or gain, declaring that such people will be found and will not escape the long arm of the law.
Finding no mitigating factors sufficient to reduce the sentence, the court imposed the death penalty.
Onyum has a right to appeal within 14 days.
