Kampala, Uganda: The nine youths accused of fabricating sodomy allegations against Pastor Robert Kayanja have failed to present their defence for the sixth consecutive month, citing the illness of one of the accused.
The group is facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to fabricate evidence, giving false information to police, and criminal trespass at Rubaga Miracle Centre (RMC). Despite a court directive issued in December 2024 requiring them to begin defending themselves, only one of the accused has testified so far.
Prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, expressed frustration over the continuous delays, accusing the defence of deliberately dragging out the case.
“I pray the accused are cautioned to treat court seriously, as this should be the last time their absence affects proceedings,” Muwaganya told court, adding, “The accused have been on defence since 20th December 2024, and it’s now six months with only one witness heard.”
The presiding magistrate at Mwanga II Court, Adams Byarugaba, was forced to issue a stern warning to the defence, noting that the case file has grown too voluminous to be reassigned and urging expeditious completion of the matter.
The accused have now been given five fixed hearing dates starting from July 7, 2025, to conclude their defence. The court also cautioned that any defence evidence not fully disclosed to the prosecution in time may be rejected.
“Why don’t you disclose everything to the State? It’s now a month, and Sentogo’s evidence has attachments that are not disclosed. If you see me rejecting this evidence, don’t complain. Defence must follow this up,” Magistrate Byarugaba said.
Case Background
The case stems from a 2023 incident in which the nine youths were arrested after allegedly trespassing at RMC with the intention of provoking Pastor Kayanja.
According to state prosecution, some of the youths later confessed at Old Kampala Police that they had been recruited and influenced by certain senior pastors in Kampala to fabricate sodomy allegations against Kayanja as part of a blackmail scheme.
Three of the original accusers turned state witnesses and told the court they were promised opportunities abroad if they succeeded in “bringing down” the televangelist. They later recanted the accusations and offered to testify on behalf of the State.
Pastor Kayanja, while testifying as the last prosecution witness, denied the allegations and said the accusations were part of a recurring pattern of smear campaigns dating back to 2010 and 2013. In those earlier cases, fellow pastors were convicted of orchestrating false claims against him.
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