Judgment day for Pastor Kayanja accusers set

Aug 09, 2012

October 1 is judgment day in the case where six people including four pastors accused of tarnishing Pastor Robert Kayanja's reputation.

By Andante Okanya

October 1 is judgment day in the case where six people including four pastors accused of tarnishing Pastor Robert Kayanja's reputation.

The accused, who allege that Kayanja sodomized boys at his church, appeared at Buganda Road Court in Kampala Wednesday.

The court was presided over by Grade One magistrate, Julius Borore.

Explaining his decision to deliver judgment, Borore stated: “The defendants have had ample time to give their defences, starting from November last  year. I find that the excuses given are unreasonable. In the premises, judgment is set for October 1, 2012.”

He also took time to note that he has 300pending cases which require equal attention.

The accused are Pastors Solomon Male of Arising for Christ Ministries, Martin Sempa of Makerere Community Church, plus Michael Kyazze and Robert Kayiira of Omega Healing Centre.

Also accused are businesswoman Dorothy Kyomuhendo and local musician David Mukalazi.

Kayanja heads the Rubaga Miracle Centre and runs the global Robert Kayanja Ministries. They claim Kayanja sodomised boys at his Rubaga-based church.

But the magistrate's decision was marred by controversy as the accused plus their lawyers Paul Rutisya, Edward Akankwasa, and Isaac Walukagga looked on in disbelief.

Earlier, the defence lawyers had asked court to halt the case, saying they had appealed the August 2 High Court decision of Justice Lameck Nsubuga Mukasa who rejected their bid to recall the prosecution witnesses.

As court resumed at 2:30pm, the magistrate declined the request to halt the case despite Rutisya presenting a notice of appeal dated August 7, 2012 and filed at the Court of Appeal.

He subsequently ordered the accused to start defending themselves immediately, prompting Rutisya and  Akankwasa to state that they had been instructed by their clients to withdraw from the case.

Speaking shortly after the adjournment, the accused, whose bail was extended until judgment day said they would consult their lawyers on the next course of action.

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