Friday 8 June 2012

Pastor Kayanja court case temporarily halted


Pastor Kayanja court case temporarily halted


Publish Date: Jun 08, 2012

By Andante Okanya  

Buganda Road Court in Kampala has temporarily halted the trial of the six people including four pastors, accused of plotting to tarnish the reputation of Pastor Robert Kayanja.

On Thursday, Grade one magistrate Julius Borore, halted the trial after the registrar criminal division of the High Court in Kampala Elizabeth Kabanda, asked that the case file be forwarded for scrutiny.

The accused petitioned the High Court in Kampala, stating dissatisfaction with Borore's decision to reject their application to recall the 22 prosecution witnesses who testified against the accused.

"In light of the letter dated June 6, 2012, addressed to me by the registrar criminal division of the High Court in Kampala, and the application to revise my decision, the file is hereby forwarded to the court," Borore said.

Accordingly, the magistrate adjourned to July 11.The development means that the accused will delay the start of their defence,which had been scheduled to start yesterday.

Prior, defence lawyers Paul Rutisya,Kato Sekabanja,Isaac Walukagga, and Edward Akankwasa, had requested court to temporarily halt proceedings, pending the decision of the High Court.

Prosecution led by Stephen Asaba, alleges that in 2008 and 2009 at various places within Kampala district, the accused "conspired to cause injury to Kayanja's personality and reputation" by claiming he sodomised boys at his church.

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.

In his ruling of May 28, the magistrate declined to recall the 22 witnesses,  saying the case file was indicative of what transpired from the start of the trial.The defence had argued otherwise.

Citing Section 144 of the Magistrates Court Act, Rutisya in his submissions on May 28, stated that once a case is assigned to another magistrate, the defence team is empowered to apply to recall witnesses.The then trial magistrate Patrick Wekesa has since been transferred to Nakawa Court in line with the routine judicial movement of officers.