Two out of the nine accused persons facing charges of defaming renowned city pastor Robert Kayanja have denied knowing each other, telling the court that they only met by chance at Old Kampala Police Station.
The nine are jointly charged with criminal conspiracy and fabricating false evidence of unnatural offences against Pastor Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral.
After reviewing evidence from 13 prosecution witnesses, Mwanga II Magistrates Court ordered all nine accused to defend themselves against the charges, which also include giving false information to police.
During Monday’s hearing presided over by Grade I Magistrate Adams Byarugaba, the court listened to unsworn testimonies from two of the accused—35-year-old Jamil Mwanda and 54-year-old Aggrey Kanene.
Both denied having any prior connection with their co-accused, repeatedly referring to the other seven as “young boys.”
Mwanda, a businessman and vice chairperson of Kiganda Zone in Kampala Central, testified that he met the boys in September 2021 while in custody at Old Kampala Police Station on unrelated theft charges. He claimed the group of youths had been arrested for trespassing at Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral, where they allegedly attempted to meet Pastor Kayanja without an appointment.
Mwanda said after hearing their story, he took interest in helping them as a community leader and pledged to assist in seeking justice. He added that the boys kept updating him on their case, which ultimately led to his connection to the trial.
However, the prosecution claims Mwanda facilitated the transportation of the boys to medical facilities at Mulago and Nsambya hospitals on allegations of sodomy. Medical reports from both hospitals reportedly found no physical evidence of abuse, prompting some of the boys to withdraw their claims.
Kanene also denied knowing any of the youths, describing them in court as “children” due to their age difference. He disputed prosecution claims that he had represented himself as a lawyer for the boys at Old Kampala Police Station.
In earlier testimony, Pastor Kayanja emotionally recounted seeing both Kanene and Mwanda with the accused boys at a press conference held at Kolping Hotel, where the allegations against him were publicly made.
Due to their choice to give unsworn testimony, both Mwanda and Kanene could not be cross-examined by the prosecution.
Both also informed the court that they would not call any additional witnesses in their defense. Their testimonies bring the total number of accused persons who have defended themselves to three, with six others—including Tumwine Moses, who has since absconded—yet to testify.
The defense hearing was adjourned to tomorrow, July 8, 2025, for further proceedings.
