Three Justices Assigned to Hear Okello Onyum Ggaba Murders Appeal

The Judiciary has assigned three Court of Appeal justices to hear the high-profile appeal of Christopher Okello Onyum, who was previously sentenced to death for the brutal murder of four toddlers at a Ggaba daycare centre earlier this year.

According to notifications from the Judiciary’s Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), Justices Christopher Gashirabake, Eva K. Luswata, and John Mike Musisi will preside over the case, registered as Criminal Appeal No. COA-00-CR-CN-0288-2026. The appeal challenges the initial verdict delivered by High Court Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha following a closely watched trial.

The case stems from the tragic events of April 2, 2026, at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division, Kampala. Four children under the age of three—Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignatius Sseruyange, and Ryan Odeke—were fatally attacked after Okello gained entry under the guise of seeking admission for a child.

During the initial trial, which utilized a mobile court setting near the crime scene, Justice Komuhangi Khaukha rejected Okello’s defence of insanity. The trial court relied on extensive forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and psychiatric evaluations, concluding that Okello’s actions leading up to the incident demonstrated purposeful and organized conduct. Consequently, he was convicted on four counts of murder and sentenced to death on April 30.

In his memorandum of appeal filed on June 12 through the Uganda Law Society’s Legal Aid Project, Okello outlined three primary grounds for challenging the ruling. He argues that the trial judge failed to properly evaluate the evidence and misjudged the medical assessments regarding his mental condition at the time of the offence. Additionally, he contends that the death sentence is harsh and excessive, asking the appellate court to quash his conviction and set him at liberty.

The upcoming appellate proceedings will scrutinize the trial court’s handling of the evidence and the insanity defence. Read more details about this development in the report by Nile Post at Nile Post Source.