“Okello Told Me Killed His Own Brother & Wanted Wealth Through Human Sacrifice”-Psychiatrist Tells Court

By Swift Reporter 

The High Court in Kampala on Thursday heard chilling psychiatric testimony as a senior police doctor detailed the mental state and past history of murder suspect Christopher Okello Onyum, even as he maintained that the accused is fit to stand trial.

Appearing before court, Emmanuel Nuwamanya, the Deputy Director of Uganda Police Health Services, presented his professional assessment based on an evaluation of the accused.

Dr. Nuwamanya told court that while Okello demonstrated normal thought processes and was mentally stable at the time of examination, his history revealed troubling episodes suggestive of a mental condition.

“My Lord, the accused reported a history of mental illness between 2016 and 2025, associated with both auditory and visual hallucinations,” Dr. Nuwamanya testified.

According to the psychiatrist, the information was obtained directly from Okello during the medical evaluation. He added that the accused also disclosed a deeply disturbing past incident.

“He informed me that he killed his younger brother, aged between two-three years, around 2016 or 2017, claiming he was rescuing him from the troubles of this world,” the doctor told court.

The court further heard that Okello admitted to attempting suicide in 2023 and is currently undergoing treatment for sickle cell disease.

Despite these revelations, Dr. Nuwamanya maintained that the accused was coherent and mentally stable during the assessment, with no immediate signs of impairment that would prevent him from standing trial.

“From my observation, his thought process was intact. However, the history he provided is suggestive of a mental condition characterised by psychotic episodes,” he explained.

The testimony adds a complex dimension to the ongoing trial, where the defence has previously raised questions about Okello’s mental state, while the prosecution continues to build its case through witness accounts and expert opinion.

Dr. Nuwamanya clarified that his findings were based primarily on the accused’s own account, underscoring the importance of further scrutiny as the court evaluates both medical evidence and witness testimony.

The case continues to draw significant public attention, as court weighs the balance between mental health considerations and criminal responsibility in one of the more sensitive trials currently before the High Court.