The nine youths accused of fabricating sodomy allegations against Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral lead pastor, Robert Kayanja, have once again failed to testify before the Mwanga II Magistrates Court.
The case, presided over by Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Adams Byarugaba, has dragged on for six months since the accused were ordered to defend themselves.
The accused—Peter Serugo, Reagan Ssentongo, Khalifa Labeeb, Alex Wakamala, Martins Kagolo, Israel Wasswa, Jamil Mwanda, Aggrey Kinene, and Moses Tumwine (currently on the run after skipping bail)—are charged with fabricating evidence, criminal trespass, and giving false information to police.
On Monday, the defence informed court that Aggrey Kinene was unwell, forcing yet another adjournment.
Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, who is prosecuting the case, expressed frustration over the repeated delays since December 2024.
“The accused have been on defence since December 20th, 2024, and in six months only one has testified. This should be the last time the absence of an accused disrupts proceedings,”
Muwaganya said. He urged the court to caution the defence and fix a strict hearing schedule. The prosecution alleges that in September 2023, the accused were arrested for trespassing at Rubaga Miracle Centre, intending to harass Pastor Kayanja.
While in custody at Old Kampala Police Station, they reportedly confessed that they had been influenced by certain prominent pastors to fabricate the sodomy allegations, with the promise of opportunities abroad.
During the prosecution’s case, three of the accused turned state witnesses, testifying that they were approached by a leading city pastor with the plan to blackmail Kayanja.
They later retracted the claims and informed police that the allegations were false. Medical evidence from Mulago National Referral Hospital indicated that there was no sign of sexual assault on the alleged victims.
On the stand, Pastor Kayanja denied all allegations, noting this was not the first attempt to tarnish his name, referencing similar defamation schemes from 2010 and 2013.
In today’s proceedings, Magistrate Byarugaba warned that the defence risks having its undisclosed evidence rejected.
“Why don’t you disclose everything to the State? If full disclosure is not made, I may be compelled to reject some of the defence evidence,” the Magistrate cautioned. The court has now fixed five days, starting July 7th, 2025, during which the defence must conclude their case.
“This case file is already voluminous. If it’s not concluded in time, it will be difficult for any other magistrate to take over,” Byarugaba added.