Kampala, Uganda: Fresh courtroom tensions erupted at Mwanga II Magistrate’s Court in Mengo on Thursday after police forensic analyst Enock Kaneene revealed that investigators recovered traces of allegedly deleted video files exchanged between city pastor Robert Kayanja and one of the accused persons in the ongoing sodomy-related criminal case.
The developments emerged during a heated court session before Grade One Magistrate Adams Byarugaba, who later formally discharged Kaneene after both the prosecution and defence concluded examination of the digital evidence expert.
The case involves Rubaga Miracle Centre Church lead pastor Robert Kayanja and nine men accused in a controversial case linked to allegations of homosexuality and false accusations.
Deleted videos spark courtroom dispute
During re-examination by defence lawyers from Ojambo & Ojambo Advocates, Kaneene told court that forensic analysis established that video files had been exchanged between first accused Reagan Ssentongo and a contact saved as “Mzee” in Ssentongo’s phone.
According to the forensic analyst, investigations later confirmed that the phone number linked to the “Mzee” contact was registered in the names of Pastor Robert Kayanja.
Kaneene further testified that although some of the alleged videos had been deleted from the sender’s side, forensic extraction managed to recover traces of the files.
However, he clarified that while the files were retrieved, they could not be visualised or successfully played before court, making it impossible for investigators to determine their exact contents.
His testimony appeared to contradict earlier claims circulated by some pro-Kayanja media platforms suggesting that no videos or photographs had ever been transmitted from the pastor’s side to Ssentongo.
State prosecutor clashes with defence
The revelations immediately triggered sharp disagreement inside court.
Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya objected to the defence’s line of re-examination, arguing that issues concerning deleted outgoing videos from Kayanja’s number had not formed part of earlier cross-examination and therefore should not have been revisited.
Muwaganya further demanded that Kaneene explain before court how investigators concluded that the alleged deletions originated from Kayanja’s side rather than Ssentongo’s device.
But defence lawyers strongly objected, arguing that the prosecution had already completed its cross-examination and could not reopen fresh questioning through objections during re-examination.
The disagreement forced Magistrate Byarugaba to intervene and issue a procedural ruling.
The magistrate allowed limited additional examination on the disputed matter and directed Kaneene to explain the forensic basis behind his findings.
Following the ruling, Kaneene displayed portions of recovered WhatsApp chats allegedly exchanged between Ssentongo and Kayanja, including the disputed deleted video files.
The forensic expert attempted to open the files before court, but the videos reportedly failed to play or visualise successfully.
Despite this, Kaneene maintained that forensic indicators showed file transmission had taken place before deletion.
Deleted WhatsApp group also recovered
In another major revelation, Kaneene told court that investigators had also recovered a previously deleted WhatsApp group allegedly linked to Kayanja and several other individuals.
The group reportedly included contacts identified as Fred Kisitu, Knock and another number registered under “High Way of Holiness Miracle Centre.”
According to Kaneene, members of the group allegedly exchanged pornographic and sodomy-related videos, photographs and messages.
The court proceedings form part of a long-running and highly publicised legal battle that has continued to attract significant public attention due to the high-profile individuals involved.
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