CHRISTOPHER OKELLO JUDGEMENT: PUBLIC CELEBRATES & DEMAND HIS PUBLIC EXECUTION

Added: 2026-05-03

[00:00:00]what is a starting point.

[00:00:02]Starting point is like the middle point.

[00:00:06]And the starting point for the offense of murder for which the convict has been convicted, the starting point is 35 years in prison.

[00:00:20]Or 35 years imprisonment.

[00:00:25]What did I say is a starting point? From the starting point, you can either go up to death or you can come downwards, depending on the aggravating factors and the mitigating factors.

[00:01:54]From 35, you can either go up or come down, depending on what convinces you between the factors aggravating the sentence and the those mitigating the sentence.

[00:02:31]Under counsel for the state or the prosecutor has um submitted or provided what he believes are the factors that aggravate these offenses that would call for the maximum sentence, which is death.

[00:03:12]The summary of his submission was that the uh the offense was committed in a very cruel manner.

[00:03:22]The injuries that were what the children sustained were indeed grave.

[00:03:29]They were attacked from their safest place.

[00:03:33]And the person who attacked them was fit to be their father.

[00:03:40]And instead of protecting them, he murdered them in a very gruesome and brutal manner.

[00:04:22]He also stated that this offense um brought terror not only to the families of the victims, but to the community of Gulu and to the nation at large.

[00:04:47]According to him, this crime uh falls in the category that is known as or referred to as the rarest of the rare.

[00:04:57]Thereby calling for the very maximum sentence, which is death.

[00:05:19]He gave statistics and said that uh murder murders or the killing of persons, unlawful killing of persons is on the increase.

[00:05:32]And if it is not uh addressed, every year we are losing about four villages in such kind of crimes.

[00:05:45]And he also said it is highly likely that because the crime is not punished as much, that is why uh it has gone on and become more prevalent.

[00:06:36]Okay.

[00:06:37]Um the accused person in mitigation, we the court asked him to say something in mitigation, but he chose to keep quiet.

[00:07:05]However, his lawyer, Miss Sarah Oweilo, of course first brought uh condolences and a prayer for healing for this land because of what happened.

[00:07:21]And went ahead to mitigate on behalf of the convict.

[00:08:01]Under all the guidelines, sentencing guidelines, it provides that uh the court may only pass a sentence of death in exceptional circumstances.

[00:08:16]In the rarest of the rare cases, where the alternative of imprisonment for life or other custodial sentence is demonstrably inadequate.

[00:08:53]And the rarest of the rare cases is um described under paragraph 18 to include cases where the court is satisfied that the commission of the offense was planned or meticulously premeditated and executed.

[00:09:29]Court whoever Court whoever I have taken into account the submissions made by Miss Sarah Oweilo on behalf of the convict to the effect that the convict's family is a broken and dysfunctional and he's also um a dysfunctional person.

[00:10:04]And I am supposed to weigh that against the aggravating factors which the prosecution raised.

[00:10:39]While uh passing the judgement, I emphasized how gruesome and brutal and heinous this offense was.

[00:10:52]And not only are the families of the deceased children still grieving, but the entire nation of Uganda still grieves at the loss of four innocent souls whose destinies were cut short by the barbaric actions of the convict on the 2nd day of April 2026.

[00:11:55]I have considered the fact that the convict meticulously with a lot of sophistication planned and premeditated this offense.

[00:12:33]I have considered the fact that the convict attacked defenseless innocent children who as an who depend on adults for their protection and survival.

[00:13:13]I have also considered that he was he targeted them in their defenseless state and went ahead to slaughter them as animals.

[00:13:45]And I have also considered the fact that he attacked during broad daylight and had no fear, no shame, no consideration for human life.

[00:14:07]I have also considered that if he was not apprehended, who knows he would have killed more than four.

[00:14:24]And I also consider the fact that when he was committing this offense, other people were watching.

[00:14:35]The caretakers, the coordinator.

[00:14:36]Meanwhile, these are the people that had actually earlier on shown him kindness.

[00:14:59]By allowing to admit his alleged child when it was even he the age was beyond what they take at the center.

[00:15:18]I have also considered that the convict has not shown any remorse at all.

[00:15:36]Because I would at least have expected an apology from him to the families of of the babies who he hacked and and slaughtered like chicken and goats.

[00:16:01]I realize he does not even imagine how those families are living without their children.

[00:16:19]I'm sure he watched the mother of Gideon collapse or faint as she testified.

[00:16:27]He must have known that she's going through something that she may never heal from.

[00:16:35]But he chose not to apologize.

[00:16:52]I have considered what this offense the impact it has had to the families that lost their babies.

[00:17:02]The 2nd of April 2026 to them was like any other day.

[00:17:08]They dropped their children to school only to find dead bodies.

[00:17:35]That pain only God will help them to heal.

[00:17:44]I have considered the statement that the convict um comes from a dysfunctional family and it is broken.

[00:17:57]But I do not believe that should be reason for someone to find other people's children and then slaughter them mercilessly.

[00:18:32]I have also considered his denial that uh the that he did not kill these children for human sacrifice.

[00:18:44]But I am inclined to believe that that was the reason.

[00:18:53]Because that is what he informed or he told Dr. Noa Many Emmanuel.

[00:19:20]Because I would have I would find no reason why someone would rise up or leave their homes early morning to come and slaughter children who are in their safe space at school.

[00:19:52]That is why That is why I'm convinced that this was for ritual purposes, blood sacrifice for young children.

[00:20:14]I agree and I I agree with um the prosecution that this case or these offenses fall in the rarest of the rare.

[00:20:37]Like the probation officer informed the court that when he made inquiries, they said this kind of thing had never happened.

[00:20:47]For four children to be killed just in a very short time by one person.

[00:21:11]Having said that, the convict must be given a sentence that will not only speak to him, but also to those friends of his whose identities he refuses to disclose, and any other person in this country who believes in sacrificing blood for wealth.

[00:22:01]Let them know that it is highly risky because they will be found like Mr. Okello was found, and they will not escape the long arm of the law.

[00:22:23]In light of the above, I have found no reason why I should not sentence Mr. Okello with the maximum sentence.

[00:22:45]I hereby sentence him to suffer death for the murder of Ajak Gideon in count one, Kansiime Agnes Otieno in count two, Serunjogi Ignatius in count three, and Odeke Reagan in count four in a manner authorized by law.

[00:23:34]And Mr. Okello, Mr. Okello, you have a right to appeal.

[00:23:40]You have a right to appeal against the conviction of this court, both the conviction and the sentence. This you should do within 14 days from today. You have a right to appeal to the court of appeal.

[00:24:03]And that that is the order of the court.