Christopher Okello Files Appeal in Nursery Murders Death Sentence

KAMPALA, Uganda — A man sentenced to death for killing four nursery school children has filed an appeal challenging his conviction and sentence, court records show.

Christopher Okello Onyum, 39, was convicted in a fast-tracked trial before High Court Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, who described the killings as “barbaric” and among the “rarest of the rare cases.” He was sentenced to death on April 30, 2026.

The killings occurred April 2, 2026, at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre. The victims — ages 1½ to 2½ — were identified as Gideon Eteku, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Ignitius Sseruyange and Rayan Odeke.

Following his conviction, the court granted Onyum 14 days to appeal. On May 6, 2026, he filed a notice of appeal from Luzira Prison, saying he would challenge both the conviction and sentence. The notice, handwritten and thumbprinted by Onyum himself, formally began the appellate process.

In the notice, he stated: “Take notice that Christopher Okello Onyum appeals to the Court of Appeal of Uganda Holden at Kampala, against the decision of Hon. Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha… whereby the appellant was convicted on four counts of Murder contrary to sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act and was sentenced to suffer death on all counts.”

Court records on the Judiciary’s Electronic Court Case Information Management System (ECCMIS) indicate that on June 12, 2026, Okello subsequently filed a memorandum of appeal raising three main grounds. He argues that the trial judge erred in law and fact by failing to properly evaluate the evidence, resulting in a miscarriage of justice. He further claims the court did not adequately consider medical evidence regarding his mental status during the trial. He also contends that the death sentence imposed was harsh and excessive and should be set aside.

In his prayer to the Court of Appeal, Okello asks that the conviction be quashed and the sentence reversed, requesting to be “at liberty.” The appeal has reportedly been prepared with support from the Legal Aid Project of the Uganda Law Society (Uganda Law Society). The Court of Appeal, led by Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, is yet to constitute a panel of three justices to hear the case.

Meanwhile, lawyer Stanley Okecho, who represents the victims and the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre, said he expects the appellate court to handle the matter expeditiously, citing the speed of the initial trial. “The High Court has demonstrated that a trial can happen within a month. Now it is up to the Appellate Court to uphold this standard,” Okecho said. The case continues to draw national attention due to the severity of the crime and the rare speed of both the trial and conviction.

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