GGABA Community Court: The High Court has ruled that Christopher Okello Onyum is mentally fit to stand trial in a case where he is accused of killing four toddlers in Ggaba, dismissing a defence application that sought a mental health inquiry.
Trial judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha based her decision on both the law and her direct observations of the accused during proceedings.
She declined a request by the defence to summon medical staff from Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, saying there was no reasonable doubt about Okello’s mental capacity to justify such an inquiry.
The application arose from testimony by Okello’s brother, who claimed he had received information that the accused had once been admitted to Butabika.
However, the witness could not state when the alleged admission occurred, how long it lasted, or the reason for it.
Justice Komuhangi explained that under Section 46 of the Trial on Indictments Act, a mental assessment is only necessary where there is clear doubt about an accused person’s state of mind.
She noted that when Okello first appeared in court on April 13, 2026, he understood the charges, responded appropriately, and entered a plea of not guilty.
The judge further observed that throughout the trial, Okello has shown awareness of the proceedings by closely following testimonies, consulting with his two defence lawyers, and even raising his hand to address court when necessary.
She also pointed out that he presented a detailed unsworn defence, referring to his written notes and prosecution evidence, in which he claimed the children’s deaths were not intentional.
The judge explained that there is nothing before this court to suggest that the accused is not in a sound mental state.
Meanwhike Okello’s second defence witnesses, who testified under protection without camera recording and while masked, told court that he met the accused in February 2026.
The witness, who described himself as a street child, said he was part of a group of more than 40 children when Okello approached them and offered to buy them food.
He testified that Okello directed them to a nearby food vendor where meals cost Shs1,000 and later asked for his phone number so he could help organize other children whenever he returned.
The witness said Okello asked him to save his contact under the name “Christopher” while he saved his as “Sande.”
He further told court that Okello returned the following day carrying a 10-litre jerrican and again bought food for the group. The witness said he later recognized Okello from news reports.
During cross-examination by State Attorney Muwaganya, the witness said he last saw Okello on February 19, 2026, and could not tell where he went afterward. He added that the children Okello helped were of varying ages, including those aged 7, 8, and 10.
The defence later informed court that efforts to summon two additional witnesses had failed. Court heard that one of the contacts provided was a foreign telephone number that could not be reached despite repeated attempts, while another witness did not respond to calls or messages, with their last known activity on WhatsApp dated March 15, 2026.
Defence lawyer Richard Kumbuga asked court for more time to secure the witnesses. In response, the judge granted a final opportunity and directed the Deputy Registrar to assist in tracing them.
