The defence team in the high-profile murder trial of Christopher Onyum Okello has formally closed its case after failing to present key witnesses, pushing the proceedings into their final stage.

At Monday’s session held at the Ggaba mobile court, defence lawyer Richard Kumbuga informed the court that efforts to secure the remaining witnesses had not been successful.
“My Lord, the defence asks to close its case. The court informed us this morning that the other witnesses cannot be reached,” Kumbuga told court.

The move brings an end to the defence phase, which had earlier sought additional time to strengthen its case. Last week, prosecutors had opposed a request for adjournment, arguing that the defence was unprepared and that further delays would waste court time. However, the court granted a brief extension to allow the defence to produce the witnesses.

Presiding judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha noted that the defence had only provided phone contacts without physical addresses, complicating efforts by court officials to locate the individuals.
“Though Okello had provided four phone numbers, he did not provide physical addresses; therefore, it was difficult to reach the remaining witnesses,” the judge observed.
With only three witnesses ultimately presented, the defence opted to proceed and requested a short adjournment to prepare final submissions.

Okello is facing multiple counts of murder linked to the April 2 killings of four toddlers at a daycare facility in Ggaba an incident that shocked the country and drew widespread public attention.

The prosecution has maintained that the accused was directly responsible for the killings, presenting the case as a deliberate act. The matter has since become one of the most closely followed criminal trials in recent years, largely due to the age of the victims and the gravity of the allegations.

The trial will now proceed to closing arguments, after which court assessors are expected to give their opinions before the judge delivers a final ruling.

Under Uganda’s judicial process, assessors provide advisory views reflecting public perspective, although their opinions are not binding on the court.

A date for judgment has not yet been confirmed, but the case is now nearing its conclusion, with a final decision expected to bring closure to one of the country’s most disturbing criminal cases in recent memory.