Kayanja Sodomy Case: Prisons fails to produced accused persons

Officials of the Uganda Prisons failed to produce the nine people suspected of accusing Pastor Robert Kayanja of engaging in sodomy activities. Because of this absenteeism, case failed to kick off before Mwanga ii Magistrate Adams Byaruhanga.

The Prosecution led by Jonathan Muwaganya came to court well prepared and had lined up two witnesses to testify in the matter but only to be told that some of the accused persons were not in court.

“It appears like the Prisons Authority has not produced the accused on remand, am not sure if they have made any formal communication to the court. We have two witnesses ready to testify,” submitted Muwaganya.

The Magistrate in response to the above submissions revealed that earlier on he received information that the accused on remand had not been brought to court.

This prompted him to explore all the available avenues to have them produced today, but he wasn’t successful. He added that as a matter of saving time, he decided to convene court and have the matter officially adjourned to the next convenient date.

Both the State Prosecution and the defense side led by Robert Ojambo have agreed to adjourn the matter to 7th February, 19th February and 29th February 2024 for further hearing.

The accused in this matter are Wasswa Israel, Peter Serugo, Reagan Ssentongo, Moses Semanobe, Khalifa Labeeb, Henry Lyaz, Alex Wakamala, Martins Kagolo, Jamil Mawanda, and Aggrey Kanene.

The prosecution contends that on September 17, 2021, the accused persons and others still at large in Kampala district conspired together to falsely accuse Pastor Robert Kayanja of unnatural offences.

It’s further alleged that the same individuals in the same period with others still at large on or about in Kampala district conspired together to commit a felony, to wit, conspiracy to defeat justice.