The defence in the Pastor Robert Kayanja sodomy case has closed its case, citing sufficient evidence to prove the allegations against the pastor. The case, which has been ongoing at the Mwanga II Magistrate's Court in Mengo, involves nine young men who have made accusations against Kayanja, including sodomy, trespass, and giving false information to police. The defence had initially planned to call a witness to explain disputed translations and transcriptions of evidence, but the witness failed to appear.
The defence lawyer, Bernard, told Principal Magistrate Adams Byarugaba that they had made several attempts to contact the witness, but he was no longer answering their calls. The defence then met with Fatima Mbabazi, a business liaison officer at Makerere College of Education, in an attempt to establish the status of the disputed translation. However, Mbabazi was not involved in the translation process and was not the official custodian of the documents.
The defence raised the possibility that the witness may have been influenced to deliberately avoid court. Bernard stated that although the court had the power to compel the witness to appear, the defence had lost confidence in him and no longer trusted him to give truthful evidence. The defence decided to withdraw the witness and close its case, saying the evidence already before court was sufficient.
The nine accused persons, who are facing charges arising from allegations made against Kayanja, have denied the allegations. The prosecution, led by prosecutor Jonathan Muwaganya, did not object to the closure of the defence case. Muwaganya urged the court to bring the long-running trial to an end.
The case has been ongoing for some time, with the defence and prosecution engaging in battles over audio and video recordings. The defence had wanted to have the recordings freshly translated and transcribed through Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, but the prosecution objected, arguing that the defence had already disclosed translations prepared through Makerere University.
With the hearing of defence witnesses now complete, the case moves to written submissions. The defence has asked for one month to prepare its written submissions, citing the involvement of another lawyer and the busy schedules of the legal team. Magistrate Byarugaba adjourned the matter to December 9, 2026.
The defence's claim that the witness may have been influenced remains an allegation and was not established by the court. The case has significant implications for the accused persons and the community at large. Key points include: the defence has closed its case, citing sufficient evidence; the witness failed to appear, leading to the defence's decision to close its case; and the case will now proceed to written submissions.
Key points
- Defence closes case in Pastor Robert Kayanja sodomy trial
- Witness failed to appear, leading to defence's decision to close case
- Case to proceed to written submissions
