Anti-Kayanja plot hatched at prayer meet
Jul 28, 2011
THE plot to portray Pastor Robert Kayanja as a sodomist was hatched by fellow pastors at a prayer meeting in 1996, the officer carrying out the investigations told court yesterday.
By Andante Okanya
THE plot to portray Pastor Robert Kayanja as a sodomist was hatched by fellow pastors at a prayer meeting in 1996, the officer carrying out the investigations told court yesterday.
Grace Akullo, 40, was being cross-examined at Buganda Road Court in the case where six people, including four pastors, are accused of conspiring to tarnish the reputation of Kayanja.
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.
Others are State House employee Dorothy Kyomuhendo, and local musician David Mukalazi.
Akullo was answering questions from one of the defence lawyers, Isaac Walukagga, who wanted to know the genesis and proof of the alleged conspiracy.
The trial is being conducted by Grade One Magistrate Patrick Wekesa
“It all began in 1996, going by Sempa’s statement at a meeting of all pastors, where Kyazze had also been invited,†Akullo said.
Asked whether she obtained minutes and the actual date of the said meeting, Akullo replied in the negative.
She said Sempa was supposed to provide that proof.
Prosecution, led by Stephen Asaba, alleges that in 2008 at various places within Kampala district, the accused “conspired to cause injury to Kayanja’s personality and reputation.
The alleged sodomy victims are Ivan Akansiima, Brian Ntwatwa, Ronnie Mutebi, Samson Mukisa, and Isaac Talemwa. They all retracted their statements.
Akullo said documented manoeuvres and utterances by the accused between 2008 and December 2010, provided proof of conspiracy.
She cited the alleged move by Male to give Robert Musasizi Bulega the name Samson Mukisa as part of the conspiracy.
Akullo said Mukisa was coached by Pr. Felix Semujju and Male on what to state in his statements.
She noted that the alleged conspirators took advantage of Mukisa’s desperation for a construction work job at Omega.
She cited the anti-sodomy awareness prayer meeting held in October 2008, saying it was at this function that the accused paraded the purported victims.
“Kyazze, Male, Sempa, Kayiira, and Kyomuhendo were at the high planning level, while Mukalazi mobilised the victims,†Akullo said.
She said Kyazze travelled to the US with video tapes of Mukisa’s alleged sodomy confessions. Asked to confirm Kyazze’s video shows, Akullo said she was unable to do so.
However, Walukagga said the retractions were made in April 2009, when Kayanja offered to renovate all Police stations in Kampala.
He said it was the Police that conspired against Kayanja.
Further hearing has been fixed for September 1, 7 and 8.
THE plot to portray Pastor Robert Kayanja as a sodomist was hatched by fellow pastors at a prayer meeting in 1996, the officer carrying out the investigations told court yesterday.
Grace Akullo, 40, was being cross-examined at Buganda Road Court in the case where six people, including four pastors, are accused of conspiring to tarnish the reputation of Kayanja.
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.
Others are State House employee Dorothy Kyomuhendo, and local musician David Mukalazi.
Akullo was answering questions from one of the defence lawyers, Isaac Walukagga, who wanted to know the genesis and proof of the alleged conspiracy.
The trial is being conducted by Grade One Magistrate Patrick Wekesa
“It all began in 1996, going by Sempa’s statement at a meeting of all pastors, where Kyazze had also been invited,†Akullo said.
Asked whether she obtained minutes and the actual date of the said meeting, Akullo replied in the negative.
She said Sempa was supposed to provide that proof.
Prosecution, led by Stephen Asaba, alleges that in 2008 at various places within Kampala district, the accused “conspired to cause injury to Kayanja’s personality and reputation.
The alleged sodomy victims are Ivan Akansiima, Brian Ntwatwa, Ronnie Mutebi, Samson Mukisa, and Isaac Talemwa. They all retracted their statements.
Akullo said documented manoeuvres and utterances by the accused between 2008 and December 2010, provided proof of conspiracy.
She cited the alleged move by Male to give Robert Musasizi Bulega the name Samson Mukisa as part of the conspiracy.
Akullo said Mukisa was coached by Pr. Felix Semujju and Male on what to state in his statements.
She noted that the alleged conspirators took advantage of Mukisa’s desperation for a construction work job at Omega.
She cited the anti-sodomy awareness prayer meeting held in October 2008, saying it was at this function that the accused paraded the purported victims.
“Kyazze, Male, Sempa, Kayiira, and Kyomuhendo were at the high planning level, while Mukalazi mobilised the victims,†Akullo said.
She said Kyazze travelled to the US with video tapes of Mukisa’s alleged sodomy confessions. Asked to confirm Kyazze’s video shows, Akullo said she was unable to do so.
However, Walukagga said the retractions were made in April 2009, when Kayanja offered to renovate all Police stations in Kampala.
He said it was the Police that conspired against Kayanja.
Further hearing has been fixed for September 1, 7 and 8.