Kampala, Uganda: Two of the nine youths facing trial for allegedly fabricating sodomy accusations against Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral lead pastor Robert Kayanja have disowned any connection with their co-accused, telling the court they were strangers brought together by chance while in custody.
The nine suspects are jointly charged with criminal conspiracy and giving false information to police. Prosecution alleges they orchestrated a smear campaign claiming Pastor Kayanja had sexually assaulted them.
On Monday, July 7, Grade I Magistrate Adams Byarugaba at Mwanga II Court heard unsworn testimonies from Jamil Mwanda, 35, and Kanene Aggrey, 54. The two said they had never met before their arrest and referred to the remaining seven accused as “young boys.”
Mwanda, a businessman and vice chairperson of Kiganda Zone in central Kampala, told the court he was detained at Old Kampala Police Station on theft allegations in September 2021 when the youths were brought in for trespassing at Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral.
“They said they went to see Pastor Kayanja without an appointment. I took interest in helping them as a leader,” Mwanda said, adding that the boys kept updating him until he unexpectedly became a suspect.
But State prosecution maintained that Mwanda played a central role by transporting the youths to Mulago and Nsambya hospitals for medical tests to prove alleged sodomy, tests that revealed no evidence of sexual assault, prompting some to retract their claims.
Kanene: They Are Like My Children
Kanene Aggrey, 54, another of the two suspects, also denied knowing any of the accused and described them as “children.” He also disputed prosecution claims that he posed as their lawyer at Old Kampala Police Station.
During an earlier emotional testimony, Pastor Kayanja told the court he saw Kanene and Mwanda accompanying the group at a press conference at Kolping Hotel, where the allegations were publicly declared.
Because the two gave unsworn statements, prosecution was barred from cross-examining them.
The defense of Mwanda and Kanene brings to three, the total number of accused persons who have testified, leaving six remaining, including Tumwine Moses, who has since fled the trial.
The court has been adjourned further defense hearings to Tuesday, July 8.
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