”Ahh, Well, Sorry Am Not Ready For Defence”- ‘Powerful’ Okello Tells Court, Judge Adjourns Matter Again

By Swift Reporter

The High Court has adjourned the defence hearing of murder suspect Christopher Okello to tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. after the accused informed the court that he was not ready to proceed despite being granted time earlier to prepare.

The adjournment followed a 30 minute break and another one-hour break earlier granted by the presiding judge, Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, to allow Okello organise his defence. However, upon resumption, the accused told the court he was still not ready to take the stand.

“I gave you one hour to prepare yourself, and you have told the court that you are still not ready,” the judge said.

In the interest of ensuring a fair hearing, Justice Khaukha extended more time to the accused and pushed the proceedings to the following day.

“I will give you some more time until tomorrow morning at 9:00, when your witnesses will also be here. We are going to hear some of them, and so tomorrow we shall hear your evidence and the evidence of your witnesses,” she ruled.

The case, arising from the tragic killings at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program that claimed the lives of four toddlers, has continued to draw intense public attention and grief from the affected community.

Earlier, the court ruled that the prosecution had established a case requiring Okello to defend himself on four counts after presenting 17 witnesses.

“I have evaluated the evidence that has been adduced against you, and I find that it makes a case against you, requiring you to give your defence on each of the four counts,” Justice Khaukha stated.

She also outlined the accused’s legal options, including remaining silent, making an unsworn statement, or giving sworn testimony subject to cross-examination, as well as calling witnesses in his defence.

“You can keep quiet… you are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” she emphasized.

However, the continued adjournments have sparked visible frustration among members of the public following the proceedings at the scene, where the court is sitting to bring justice closer to the affected community.

Moments after the adjournment, some locals were heard shouting in protest, accusing the court of giving the accused excessive leeway. Several expressed concern that the delays were prolonging the pain of families who lost their children.

Some residents argued that while the principle of presumption of innocence must be upheld, it should not come at the expense of time and public resources, especially in a case involving the deaths of young children.

One visibly frustrated local said, “We come to this court every day expecting justice for our children, but the judge has made it an everyday job to keep adjourning this matter.”

Others echoed similar sentiments, saying the process now feels like justice is being delayed as grieving parents continue to wait in anguish.

Despite the public outcry, court officials maintain that the adjournment was necessary to ensure a fair hearing for the accused.

The case is expected to resume tomorrow morning, when Okello is anticipated to finally present his defence alongside his witnesses in what is seen as a critical stage of the trial.