By Swift Reporter
The High Court Criminal Division sitting in Ggaba has adjourned proceedings in the case involving the alleged murder of four toddlers at a daycare centre, with the hearing set to resume tomorrow.
The adjournment follows a day of testimony in which a key prosecution witness described the accused, Christopher Okello Onyum, as mentally stable based on prior interactions. Earlier concerns about the suspect’s health were addressed after prison doctors declared him fit to stand trial.
During the hearing, Hashim Juma, director of Trip Car Rental, told court that his dealings with Okello in March suggested he was capable of conducting normal transactions.
Testifying under examination by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, Juma detailed a series of WhatsApp exchanges in which the accused inquired about hiring a vehicle.
“On March 12, Okello sent a message saying he wanted to hire a car,” Juma told court, adding that the discussion was structured and involved specific questions about services, pricing, and vehicle options.
According to the witness, Okello indicated he needed a self-drive vehicle for three days within Kampala and engaged in negotiations over pricing, initially asking for the cheapest option before expressing interest in a Toyota RAV4 and, alternatively, a Noah vehicle.
Juma further testified that the accused asked about office location, delivery arrangements, and later followed up with calls and messages after postponing the initial booking.
“These are normal client inquiries,” Juma said.
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Richard Kumbuga, the witness acknowledged he had no formal qualifications to assess a person’s mental condition.
However, during re-examination, he maintained that the nature of the interaction pointed to normal behaviour.
“The way he approached us, mentioning the type of services… a mad person cannot go onto the internet and look for a service. A mad person cannot transact,” Juma said.
He added that such transactions require identification and the ability to meet driving requirements.
“A mad person cannot be given a driving licence and cannot drive,” he told court.
Presiding judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha also sought clarification on standard procedures in the car hire business, particularly whether vehicles can be rented out without verifying a driver’s licence.
Juma responded that it is not possible to hire out a car without confirming proper documentation.
The high-profile case, which has drawn significant public attention, will continue tomorrow as the court resumes hearing further evidence.
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