Ugandan Man Sentenced to Death for Nursery School Attack
In Wakiso, Uganda, a judge has sentenced Christopher Okello to death for the killing of four children at a nursery school, dismissing his plea of insanity. The decision was announced in a tent outside the courtroom, where a crowd celebrated the verdict.
Okello, 38, was found guilty of attacking children with a machete at the Gaba Early Childhood Development Program in a Kampala suburb on April 2. Witnesses reported that he entered the school disguised as a parent, conversed briefly with staff, locked the gate, and then launched the attack.
President Yoweri Museveni had urged the courts to expedite the trial, which was conducted as an open-air proceeding known as a “mobile court.” This method allowed many local residents and grieving community members to observe the trial process directly.
Despite concerns regarding Okello’s mental state—highlighted by his nervous demeanor and inappropriate laughter—the judiciary proceeded with the trial. Critics, including the Uganda Law Society, referred to it as a “judicial lynching rally,” while the judiciary emphasized its commitment to making justice accessible through innovative methods.
The death penalty is infrequently enforced in Uganda, with many death row inmates remaining in prison for extended periods. Okello’s case has drawn significant public and legal attention due to the nature of the crime and the manner in which the trial was conducted.
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