Samaritan pastor on 5th defilement charge

By Hillary Kiirya and Maurice OkoreDOCTOR Ezra Lukwago, a pastor with the Good Samaritan Mission of Uganda, is in court for the fifth time to face defilement charges.Lukwago, 40, who was clad in a flowered shirt and spotted a haircut, appeared yesterday before Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Olive Kazaarwe.The prosecution led by Patricia Cingtho alleged that Lukwago between September 2001 and February 2002 had sexual intercourse with a minor.According to Police records, Lukwago promised to pay school fees for the girl on condition that she became his wife on completion of her studies.Lukwago has been staying with the girl at his home in Wakiso since September 2001. He allegedly sent her away after impregnating her.Cingtho said the girl was a virgin at the time Lukwago took her to his home and that he allegedly used vaseline to ease penetration.The court was fully packed by his followers who looked disturbed as the charges were read out to their leader.Kazaarwe told the pastor that she did not have jurisdiction to hear the case and he was not supposed to say anything but advised him to apply for bail in the High Court. Lukwago was remanded in Luzira Prison until May 14 when his case comes up for mention.Caleb Alaka of Lukwago and Alaka Company Advocates represented the pastor who still has another pending defilement case.Lukwago was in court before on three occasions but was acquitted of charges of defilement by the High Court of Uganda.