By Swift Reporter
The High Court in Kampala on Thursday continued hearing the case against murder suspect Christopher Okello Onyum, with fresh testimony from a former landlord and other key witnesses, as the trial gathers momentum.
Presiding over the session, Alice Komuhangi Khaukha ruled earlier in the morning that Okello is fit to stand trial. The decision followed medical reports presented before court indicating that the accused is stable and responding well to treatment for sickle cell disease.
Addressing the court, Okello himself affirmed his condition, stating, “I’m in a stable state of mind and body,” clearing the way for proceedings to continue.
During the hearing, Makai Joel, a landlord from Kyanja, testified about his interaction with the accused, recounting how he came to know Okello in March this year. According to Joel, Okello was introduced to him by a house broker, after which the two formalised a tenancy agreement.
Joel told court that the accused paid four months’ rent in advance at a monthly rate of sh400,000. He explained that a total of sh1.6 million was paid, with sh1.5 million deposited into the bank as instructed and an additional sh100,000 given in cash as a broker’s fee.
Describing Okello’s conduct during his stay, Joel said he was a “good tenant” who related well with others and was particularly fond of playing with children in the neighbourhood.
However, the defence team raised objections to some of the prosecution’s documentary evidence, including the tenancy agreement and a letter from the accused’s Local Council (LC1), arguing that the documents do not bear Okello’s signature and should therefore be disregarded.
In further testimony, a car hire dealer told court that Okello appeared mentally stable, casting doubt on claims by the defence suggesting otherwise. The witness said the accused demonstrated clear and coordinated actions, including searching for car hire services online, making payments via mobile money, and driving himself.
Under cross-examination, defence lawyers challenged the witness’s competence to assess mental health, questioning his qualifications to make such conclusions.
The prosecution indicated that at least seven more witnesses are expected to testify as the case progresses.
The trial continues amid heightened public interest, with the court set to further examine both the mental state of the accused and the evidentiary basis of the charges against him.
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