Arrest warrants issued for sureties of youth accused of framing pastor Kayanja

Mwanga II Magistrate’s court has issued arrest warrants for three individuals who stood surety for Moses Tumwine, a key suspect in a case involving false sodomy allegations against pastor Robert Kayanja.

Senior principal grade one magistrate Adams Byarugaba granted the arrest warrants on Monday, following a request by lead prosecutor, chief state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya. The sureties, Tracy Namugga, Patrick Ayebare, and Abdul Kayondo allegedly failed to produce Tumwine for trial as ordered.

Muwaganya also requested that the arrest warrant be extended to Tumwine himself, who remains at large. The magistrate approved the request, ordering that the trial proceed in his absence.

Tumwine is one of nine individuals charged with falsely accusing pastor Kayanja of sodomy in what the prosecution describes as a conspiracy to defeat justice. The co-accused include Peter Serugo, Reagan Ssentongo, Khalifa Labeeb, Alex Wakamala, Martins Kagolo, Israel Wasswa, Jamil Mwanda, and Aggrey Kinene.

During Monday’s session, the court ordered the remaining accused to begin their defense on related charges of criminal trespass at Rubaga Miracle Cathedral, with intent to annoy Kayanja.

One of the accused, Martin Kagoro, took the stand and detailed his past roles at the church, including being armed and paid weekly. However, the magistrate instructed him to limit his testimony to the relevant charges.

The case stems from September 17, 2021, when the accused are alleged to have falsely implicated Kayanja in unnatural offences. The prosecution contends they gave false information to police, causing a misuse of investigative resources.

Some of the accused, including former police officers, allegedly provided false statements to detective IP Cotilda Nandutu. Kayanja has denied all allegations and testified last October that the claims were part of a conspiracy linked to his longtime rival, pastor Jackson Ssenyonga.

He cited similar past false accusations in 2010 and 2013, which resulted in lenient sentences, and has urged the court to issue a deterrent ruling in the current case.