KAMPALA, UGANDA: A police forensic expert has told court that investigations found no evidence of pornographic material linked to Pastor Robert Kayanja, in a case where nine youths are accused of tarnishing his reputation.
The revelation emerged during an intense cross-examination at Mwanga II Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 23, where the accused are also facing charges of criminal trespass and giving false information to police.
Forensic analyst, also defence witness Enock Kanene, confirmed under oath that his examination of a mobile phone presented as evidence did not reveal any pornographic content connected to the pastor.
“After a thorough examination of the phone, I never found any evidence of pornographic material in the form of texts, WhatsApp messages or videos sent by Pastor Kayanja,” Kanene told court.
The session, led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, turned tense as the court was presented with communication records linking Kanene to one of the accused, Wasswa Isreal.
“Mr Kanene, can you point out the person whom you called and met regarding the exhibit? (Right where he admits to be in constant communication with Wasswa),” Muwaganya asked.
Kanene admitted he had been in frequent contact, more than 40 times, and had physically met the accused prior to analysing the phone and producing his forensic report.
The admission sparked a heated exchange in court, with Kanene visibly agitated as he defended the independence of his findings.
At one point, he told the court that the line of questioning could cost him his job, prompting the presiding magistrate, Adams Byarugaba, to briefly adjourn proceedings and summon parties to chambers.
Further scrutiny of the forensic report exposed procedural gaps, with Kanene acknowledging that not all extracted WhatsApp messages were included in his final report.
He also admitted to altering page numbers manually, despite them being computer-generated. “There was a mistake, and I altered it by pen,” he said, attributing the error to a printing issue.
The prosecution further questioned the credibility of the report, citing a separate and more detailed analysis conducted by a senior officer, ASP Hillary Musiime.
Kanene conceded that the officer was more senior both in rank and academic qualifications. “He is senior to me in rank and academic knowledge, and his report is more detailed than mine,” he admitted.
The accused youths remain on trial over allegations of spreading false information intended to damage the reputation of Pastor Kayanja.
Court proceedings are expected to resume on April 7, with further cross-examination of the forensic expert.
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