The nine youths accused of falsely alleging sodomy against Pastor Robert Kayanja have again failed to testify alleging sickness of one of them.
It has been 6 months since court ordered the youths to defend themselves against the charges of fabricating evidence to falsely accuse pastor Kayanja of sodomy.
Prosecution states that the nine-youth conspired together to fabricate evidence of sodomy against pastor Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Cathedral.
On September, 17, 2023, the youths were arrested on charges of trespassing at Rubaga Miracle Cathedral with an intention to annoy pastor Kayanja.
However, while at Old Kampala Police, with an intention of blackmailing and soliciting money from Pastor Kayanja, some of the youths disclosed that they had been influenced to come up with the false allegations by some senior city pastors to come up with the false allegations hence another charge of giving false information to police.
Among the 13 prosecution witnesses were three of the boys who were rooted in the original plan to falsely accuse Pastor Kayanja. They informed the court that they were approached by one of the leading city pastors who promised them greener pastures outside Uganda if the plan to pull down Pastor Kayanja went through.
According to their testimony before the Mwanga II Court last year, the youths later refused to sell their souls and returned to police to make additional statements informing police that the whole scheme was untrue and that they would testify on behalf of the state to tell the truth about the false accusations.
While on the stand as the last prosecution witness, Pastor Kayanja denied all the allegations, stating that the accusations are not new as similar plots to tarnish his name came up in 2010 and 2013 where fellow pastor were charged and convicted of participating and facilitating schemes to defame him.
The pastor was surprised to see that a group of youth which he believed to be backed by fellow pastors came up with similar accusations against him.
In Monday's proceeding, prosecution led by Chief State Attorney, Jonathan Muwaganya expressed frustration about the way the accused persons and their defence counsel have dramatically dragged the case by failing to give their defence evidence since December 2024.
“… I pray the accused are cautioned to treat court seriously as this should be the last time the absence of the accused affects proceedings," Muwaganya submitted.
“…the accused have been on defence since December, 20, 2024 and its about six months down the road with only one person who has testified. If court is inclined to adjourn, we pray for another schedule to which the defence should adhere son that they close their case”
The trial chief magistrate , Adam Byaruhanga also warned the defence that the case file is now voluminous and it would be hectic for another magistrate to take it on in case it is not completed in time.
He accordingly gave the case five days on which the accused persons must complete their defence starting from July, 7 2025.
Byaruhanga also warned the defence that if by then full disclosure of the defence evidence is not made to prosecution as committed by the defence team, he may be compelled to reject some defence evidence.
“…why don’t you disclose everything to the state? Its now a month and Sentongo’s evidence has attachments that are not disclosed. If you see me rejecting this evidence, dont complain. Defence follow up this matter," he said.
