A high-profile case involving nine individuals accused of falsely accusing Miracle Centre Cathedral – Pastor Robert Kayanja of sodomy has taken another turn, as prosecutors claim the defence is deliberately stalling proceedings.
More than two months after being ordered to defend themselves, the accused, Peter Serugo, Reagan Ssentongo, Moses Tumwine, Khalifa Labeeb, Alex Wakamala, Martins Kagolo, Israel Wasswa, Jamil Mwanda, and Aggrey Kinene, failed to proceed with their case.
The latest development unfolded at Mwanga II Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya accused the suspects of delaying justice.
A Case of Deliberate Delays?
At the heart of the delay is a mobile phone belonging to Reagan Ssentongo, which the defence insists contains crucial evidence.
Lawyer Humphrey Tumwesigye told the court that his client’s phone was confiscated as evidence but had not been returned to allow him to prepare his defence.
Tumwesigye argued that Ssentongo’s phone held information relevant to all the accused, a claim that prompted Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate – Adams Byarugaba to question whether one suspect’s evidence was crucial for the entire group’s defence.
However, prosecutors pushed back, arguing that the accused were given 66 days to prepare their case and had previously been advised on how to access the phone under court supervision.
“This phone is an exhibit and cannot be tampered with outside court inspection,” Muwaganya said, stressing that all necessary data had already been retrieved and presented in court.
Despite the prosecution’s objections, Magistrate Byarugaba ruled that Ssentongo could access his phone in the presence of court officials, his lawyers, and the prosecution, with any relevant information printed for use in court. The case was adjourned to 28 March 2025.
Kayanja’s Long Battle
For Pastor Robert Kayanja, this case is just the latest chapter in a series of accusations spanning over a decade.
In testimony given in October 2024, the influential preacher said he had been the target of multiple false allegations of sodomy, all of which he described as orchestrated attempts to destroy his reputation.
He pointed to a history of accusations, including a 2010 case where five pastors, Solomon Male, Michael Kyazze, Martin Sempa, Mukalazi, and Deborah Kyomuhendo, were found guilty of falsely accusing him but were sentenced to just 100 hours of community service.
Then, in 2013, two men, Moses Muhanguzi and Ibrahim Nsubuga, falsely accused him of sodomy.
The case fell apart when the two were caught trying to bribe a doctor into confirming their claims.
They received what Kayanja called “non-deterrent” sentences.
Kayanja has since demanded harsher punishment for those he believes are using false allegations as a weapon.
“This must stop,” he told the court. “False accusations not only damage lives but also undermine real victims of abuse.”
What Are the Accused Facing?
The prosecution alleges that on 17 September 2021, the nine accused conspired to falsely accuse Kayanja of unnatural offences.
Some of the suspects, Serugo, Ssentongo, Khalifa, Wakamala, and Kagoro, were police officers at the time and are accused of misleading detective IP Cotilda Nandutu into investigating what they allegedly knew were false claims.
The charges against them include:
-Conspiracy to defeat justice
-Criminal trespass
-Providing false information to police
The prosecution says these actions caused the police to waste time and resources investigating false allegations.
Justice Delayed
The court’s decision to grant Ssentongo access to his phone means the defence will now have to present its case when the trial resumes on 28 March 2025.
While the accused insist they are fighting for justice, prosecutors see their delays as a tactic to stall proceedings.
For Pastor Kayanja, this is yet another test of his resolve, one he hopes will end with a deterrent sentence for those he believes have conspired against him.
As the case drags on, will this be the final chapter in a long history of accusations, or just another twist in Uganda’s most persistent legal battle?
END
English 