The sentencing of Christopher Okello Onyum to death after being convicted on four counts of murder at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Daycare Centre has drawn sharp criticism from activists, who are now questioning both the court’s handling of mental health issues and the use of capital punishment.
Activist Justice Hunter reacted strongly to the ruling, arguing that the court failed to properly examine Okello’s mental condition before handing down the sentence.
“The judge has shredded the constitution in Okello’s sentencing. Death penalty does so little to deter crime!” he said.
Hunter also raised concerns over the psychiatric assessment presented during the trial, claiming it did not reflect Okello’s full history.
“The state psychiatrist whitewashed Okello’s history of mental illness of killing his brother in 2016/17 and his current trauma. He just observed Okello for five minutes and concluded that he was fine. The judge also bought that, ridiculous. I believe Okello can win an appeal,” he added.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, convicted Okello on Thursday on four counts of murder following the killings of four children on April 2 at the daycare centre in Ggaba, Kampala.
Court records showed that the prosecution relied on eyewitness accounts, forensic findings, and digital evidence placing Okello at the scene.
The judge ruled that the offence was deliberate and that Okello was fully responsible for his actions.
The court rejected the defence argument that he was mentally unfit to stand trial or take responsibility.
Despite the conviction, Hunter insists the mental health angle was not thoroughly addressed and should have played a bigger role in sentencing.
He further questioned the effectiveness of the death penalty, arguing that it does not prevent violent crime and instead ignores deeper social and psychological causes.
“We are not solving the real problem,” he said.