President Yoweri Museveni has questioned the delay in hearing an appeal filed by Christopher Okello Onyum, the man sentenced to death for murdering four children at a daycare centre in Ggaba, Kampala.
Museveni raised the concern during a meeting with NRM MPs at State House, Entebbe, arguing that the justice system should demonstrate to the public that justice has been served. He noted that Onyum’s original trial was concluded in less than a month, while his appeal has remained pending for about six months.
Onyx was convicted on four counts of murder and sentenced to death by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha on April 30, 2026. He later exercised his constitutional right to appeal, challenging both his conviction and sentence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Lino Anguzu, said his office is ready to defend the conviction but is waiting for the Court of Appeal to schedule the case. The Judiciary, meanwhile, has explained that the appeal must follow the court’s case-management process and cannot necessarily be heard as quickly as the original trial.
Onyum remains on death row at Luzira Prison as his appeal awaits hearing.
HIGHLIGHTS
– Museveni has questioned the delay in hearing Onyum’s appeal.
– Onyum was sentenced to death over the killing of four children in Ggaba.
– The DPP says it is ready to defend the conviction and sentence.
– The Judiciary says the appeal will be scheduled according to its case-management process.
TAKEAWAY
The case has renewed attention on the balance between timely justice and an accused person’s constitutional right to appeal, with Onyum’s appeal still pending before the Court of Appeal.
