Kampala, Uganda — Nine young men accused of falsely accusing renowned pastor Robert Kayanja of sodomy have started presenting their defence before the Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court.
The group — Peter Serugo, Reagan Ssentongo, Khalifa Labeeb, Alex Wakamala, Martins Kagolo, Israel Wasswa, Jamil Mwanda, and Aggrey Kinene — is facing multiple charges including criminal trespass, giving false information to police, and conspiracy to defeat justice.
In November 2024, the court ruled that the accused had a case to answer and directed them to begin their defence.
On Monday, the first accused, Martins Kagolo, gave an emotional unsworn testimony before Grade One Magistrate Adams Byarugaba.
He claimed that he had been lured into making false allegations with promises of money, gifts, a chauffeured vehicle, and relocation abroad.
Kagolo alleged that he and others were later falsely promised payment for their work with the church.
He recounted joining Rubaga Miracle Centre in 2021 to participate in a football tournament and said Pastor Kayanja later included him in his security team.
He testified that after approaching the church to claim unpaid wages, he and the others were reported to police for trespass.
However, medical reports previously submitted in court found no evidence of sexual assault, and prosecution noted that none of the accused mentioned sodomy in their initial statements to Old Kampala Police.
The prosecution also questioned the credibility of the allegations, pointing to inconsistencies and lack of supporting evidence.
Court sessions are being held without media recording, but sources confirm the case remains tense and closely followed.
Meanwhile, the court has issued arrest warrants for Tumwine — a co-accused who has since disappeared — and his sureties, Tracy Namugga, Patrick Ayebare, and Abdul Kayondo.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, accused the sureties of failing in their legal obligation to ensure Tumwine’s presence in court.
Magistrate Byarugaba ordered the trial to proceed in Tumwine’s absence and adjourned the hearing to May 9 for further defence presentations.
In earlier testimony, Pastor Kayanja denied all allegations and alleged a conspiracy to damage his reputation.
He linked one of the accused, Israel Wasswa, to his longtime rival, Pastor Joseph Ssenyonga.
Kayanja also referenced similar past cases in 2010 and 2013, where he was falsely accused.
In both instances, courts found the accusations to be baseless, though the sentences handed down to the accusers were minimal.
He has called for tougher penalties to deter what he called a pattern of blackmail and character assassination.
The prosecution alleges that the accused conspired to fabricate allegations of unnatural offences, fully aware that their claims would divert police resources and undermine justice.
English 