State questions gaps in pastor Kayanja sodomy case testimony

The chief state attorney, Jonathan Muwaganya, has raised doubts over the credibility of testimony given by Alex Wakamala, a 30-year-old boda-boda rider, accusing Rubaga Miracle Centre Pastor Robert Kayanja of sexual misconduct.

The hearing took place at Mwanga II Magistrate’s court, where Wakamala and eight other men face charges of making false sodomy accusations and trespassing on the Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral premises in 2017.

A ninth suspect, Moses Tumwine, remains at large, with a warrant of arrest issued against him. During cross-examination, Muwaganya pointed to gaps and contradictions in Wakamala’s account. The attorney pressed him on timelines, the devices allegedly used as evidence, and his shifting recollection of key events.

At one point, Wakamala failed to recall when he acquired his current phone, could not identify its make or model, and gave no clear explanation regarding the loss of two previous phones. The prosecution insists those devices are central to verifying or disproving his allegations.

Muwaganya suggested that Wakamala’s evasive answers undermined the reliability of his claims, arguing that the accusations were fabricated.

Alleged smear campaign

The prosecution maintains that Wakamala and his co-accused were not victims but were “recruited, coached, and financially motivated” by a rival city pastor in a deliberate attempt to discredit Kayanja.

Prosecutors allege the case is part of a wider orchestrated smear campaign targeting the pastor. According to court documents, on September 17, 2021, the accused conspired to falsely accuse Kayanja of unnatural offenses.

They also face additional charges, including conspiracy to defeat justice, criminal trespass, giving false information to police. It is further alleged that Serugo, Ssentongo, Khalifa, Wakamala, and Kagoro, while serving as police officers, knowingly gave false information to Detective IP Cotilda Nandutu, accusing Kayanja of sodomy, an act prosecutors argue was intended to waste police time and resources.

Pastor Kayanja, who testified last year as a state witness, has consistently denied the accusations. He told the court that such allegations are not new, citing earlier attempts in 2010 and 2013 to smear his name.

In 2010, fellow pastors were convicted for fabricating allegations against him. In 2013, a man was arrested at Mulago hospital while allegedly bribing a doctor to forge medical documents to support sodomy claims.

Trial senior principal grade one magistrate Adams Byarugaba adjourned the case to September 10, 2025, for further cross-examination of Wakamala. That date will mark his third consecutive day in the dock defending himself.