The Magistrate’s Court at Mwanga II has issued a final warning to the six youths on trial for defaming city Pastor Robert Kayanja, urging them to defend themselves.
During today’s court proceedings, the youths were expected to continue with their defense testimony on charges related to defaming Pastor Kayanja and trespass at his Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral church.
However, a heated argument erupted between prosecution and defense lawyers over delays in the defense hearing after one of the defense lawyers sent a letter to court seeking to adjourn the matter on grounds of ill health.
Prosecution, led by Jonathan Muwaganya, accused defense lawyers Humphrey Tumwesigye, Robert Ojambo, and Bernard Mugenyi of deliberately switching representation and absenting themselves from court in a bid to delay the defense hearing, which has now stalled for the last eight months.
“With due respect, we are opposed to the adjournment, which in our opinion is not being sought in good faith and on justifiable grounds,” Muwaganya submitted.
“Throughout the trial, Counsel Humphrey represented A1 to A3 as sole counsel, while Mr. Ojambo and Mugenyi only acted for A7 to A9—until 25th April, when they went on record as joint counsel. The prosecution’s understanding is that since we have two law firms and three counsel representing the accused, the absence of one shouldn’t jeopardize the progress of the case,” he added.
This development has affected the trial, which began in July 2023, with some of the accused persons still on remand. This prompted the presiding magistrate, Adams Byarugaba, to strongly warn the accused to either engage other lawyers who can be committed to their case or risk representing themselves at the next hearing scheduled for 18th July 2025.
“I see frustrations coming from the State, and the reason is that since December, 20 2024, the defense has been delaying this case. We have spent two years in court since July, 26, 2023, and if this court is to continue handling this case, it should be taken seriously; otherwise, it will take radical measures,” Magistrate Byarugaba warned.
“Let this be the very last adjournment on the ground of sickness of either counsel or absence of any of the accused persons and other grounds,” Byarugaba added.
The nine accused are jointly charged with criminal conspiracy to falsely fabricate evidence of unnatural offences against Pastor Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral.