High Court Hands Down Death Sentence to Christopher Okello for Murder of Four Children
KAMPALA – April 30, 2026 – The High Court in Kampala has condemned Christopher Okello to death following his conviction for the brutal killing of four children in Ggaba earlier this month, closing one of Uganda’s most harrowing criminal cases in recent years.
Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka delivered the capital punishment on Thursday evening, just hours after finding Okello guilty on all four counts of murder. She determined that the case qualified as one of the “rarest of rare” offences justifying the ultimate penalty.
“I see no justification for sparing Mr Okello the maximum sentence. I therefore sentence him to death,” the judge declared, prompting applause throughout the courtroom.
Judge Cites Severity of Crimes
In her sentencing remarks, Justice Khauka explained that she had carefully balanced the mitigating arguments from the defence against the aggravating factors presented by the state.
“Under our judicial sentencing guidelines… a court may impose the death sentence in exceptional circumstances, in the rarest of rare cases where life imprisonment or other custodial terms are clearly insufficient,” she stated.
While the defence pointed to Okello’s troubled upbringing, the judge ruled that the atrocities committed far outweighed any such considerations.
“This offence was brutal, heinous and gruesome. The families of the deceased and the entire nation continue to mourn the loss of the four children on April 2nd, 2026,” she ruled.
Premeditation and Absence of Remorse
Justice Khauka noted that evidence showed the crime had been carefully orchestrated.
“I have taken into account that the convict meticulously and with considerable sophistication planned and premeditated this offence. He attacked defenceless, innocent children who rely on adults for protection,” she said.
She also highlighted the convict’s courtroom behaviour, observing his failure to express any regret.
“I have also noted that the convict has demonstrated no remorse whatsoever – I would have expected an apology to the families, but he chose not to offer one,” she added.
The judge informed Okello of his right to challenge the ruling on appeal.
Prosecution Hails Verdict
Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, leading the prosecution team from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, welcomed the sentence.
He noted that although Uganda no longer applies the death penalty automatically, courts retain the authority to issue it in exceptional cases.
“It is our considered submission that the interests of justice in this matter will be best served by imposing the highest available sentence,” he said.
Defence Plea Rejected
Defence counsel Sarah Awelo had urged the court to show leniency based on Okello’s personal circumstances.
“The convict has no prior criminal record. He suffers from sickle cell disease and could still contribute productively to the community,” Awelo argued.
She added that he came from a “broken dysfunctional family” and had intended to take up farming in his home district of Nwoya.
The court, however, found these arguments insufficient given the shocking nature of the crimes.
Defendant Remains Silent
When given the chance to address the court before sentencing, Okello refused to speak. The judge twice asked whether he wished to comment on the proposed sentence, but he remained silent. Asked if he wanted to apologise to the victims’ families or the nation, he replied that he had nothing to say.
Earlier Conviction
Earlier in the day, the court had found Okello guilty of murdering Eteku Gideon, Kaise Alungat, Ignatius Sserwange and Ryan Odeke. Justice Khauka ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, rejecting Okello’s claim of mental illness due to a lack of supporting medical or family testimony.
The killings, which the court described as deliberate and malicious, sparked nationwide outrage and led to emotional scenes in court, with one relative of the victims collapsing during the proceedings.
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