Kayanja Sodomy Trial: Ssentongo Says He Is Still Pastor's Employee, Claims Shs4 Million Was Owed to Him

KAMPALA — The cross-examination of Reagan Ssentongo, one of the key accused persons in the ongoing trial involving Pastor Robert Kayanja and Miracle Centre Cathedral, continued before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Adams Byarugaba, with text messages and audio recordings forming the centrepiece of the prosecution's evidence.

Led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, the prosecution presented digital evidence extracted from Ssentongo's mobile phone, including WhatsApp messages exchanged with Pastor Kayanja and audio recordings recovered during forensic analysis.

Ssentongo confirmed that he had worked at Kiryandongo Farm after undergoing training and was responsible for equipment kept in the farm store. However, he denied ever serving as the farm's general manager.

He further maintained that although he left the farm in 2021, he still considers himself an employee of Pastor Kayanja because he has never received a formal letter terminating his employment.

The prosecution presented a series of WhatsApp messages in which Ssentongo repeatedly requested financial assistance and payment from Pastor Kayanja.

In one message dated May 9, 2021, Ssentongo wrote: "Morning Sir, I'm out of money. Help me on my salary and send me something. I'm really out of money and have nothing to eat for breakfast."

Another message showed Ssentongo asking the pastor to assist other young men who had returned from the farm.

The prosecution also referred the court to a response allegedly sent by Pastor Kayanja stating that Ssentongo had resigned the previous week and that he had struggled to raise money for him.

According to the message presented in court, Pastor Kayanja wrote that he had managed to obtain Shs1 million, adding that he had previously trained Ssentongo, given him work and supported him during illness.

During cross-examination, Ssentongo acknowledged sending the messages but disputed the prosecution's interpretation of them.

He testified that the money he demanded was not salary for farm work but payment he claimed was owed to him for alleged sexual acts, telling the court he was demanding Shs4 million. He further claimed he had acted as "an agent of homosexuals," an allegation that remains contested before court.

Ssentongo also maintained that he and the other accused initially went to Miracle Centre Cathedral in 2021 to demand money they believed they were owed after working at Kiryandongo Farm.

When questioned about whether the payments related to employment or to his allegations, Ssentongo did not give a direct answer on some aspects of the exchanges.

The prosecution further produced messages in which Ssentongo informed Pastor Kayanja about the death of a relative and sought financial assistance. During the hearing, he clarified that the deceased was his paternal uncle and not his biological father.

Court also heard that after leaving the farm, Ssentongo opened Rasha Music Studio in Kigumba but claimed the business belonged to Pastor Kayanja.

In another message presented by the prosecution, Ssentongo appeared to apologise to the pastor, writing: "Please Mzee, I never wanted to hurt you, but because of other people I had to do so."

Ssentongo also admitted in court that he and others had agreed to cause chaos in an effort to recover money they believed was owed to them.

The prosecution further played audio recordings allegedly recovered from Ssentongo's phone, including conversations involving Moses Tumwiine regarding plans to meet Pastor Aloysius Bugingo. According to the recordings, the meeting did not take place after Bugingo reportedly indicated he was unavailable.

Additional forwarded messages involving Sam Magoomu, Moses Tumwiine and Adrian Ssebaale were also presented as part of the prosecution's digital evidence.

Throughout the hearing, Ssentongo denied having links with Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga, Pastor Solomon Male or Pastor Kiganda and rejected suggestions that they influenced his actions.

Chief Magistrate Adams Byarugaba adjourned the case to August 6, when the defence is expected to continue its re-cross-examination of Ssentongo.

The allegations and testimony presented during the proceedings remain contested. The court has not made findings on the claims, and the trial is ongoing.