Convict’s Coached Testimony Crumbles in Pastor Kayanja Case

Drama unfolded at Mwanga II Magistrates Court as Peter Sserugo, one of the suspects in the Pastor Robert Kayanja sodomy case, fumbled through what appeared to be a coached testimony, leaving the courtroom in laughter and disbelief.

Sserugo, who is currently serving a jail sentence for aggravated robbery, took to the stand looking visibly nervous. His testimony started off in a low, hesitant tone, prompting Chief Magistrate Adams Byarugaba to repeatedly urge him to speak up.

As proceedings continued, Sserugo’s confidence waned. He sweated profusely, frequently drank water, and twice requested to leave court for a “short call.” On both occasions, he was escorted by his co-accused Labib Khalifa, who had earlier testified.

Upon returning to the stand, Sserugo seemed momentarily composed and even switched from Luganda to English, boldly declaring, “The report was doctored; it has no stamp, not signed by the police doctor.” However, his coherence soon crumbled, and he struggled to recall details from his earlier statements.

The courtroom erupted in laughter when Sserugo fell silent for over a minute, seemingly lost for words, before once again asking to go for a “short call.” Magistrate Byarugaba, noticing the inconsistencies, humorously asked whether Sserugo was “reading from somewhere.”

State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya pressed Sserugo for clarification on new evidence he was introducing, a move that further disoriented the witness and exposed flaws in his account.

Sserugo’s testimony appeared to mirror that of other suspects, including Labib Khalifa, Alex Wakamala, and Martin Kagolo, who had also testified without swearing an oath. Prosecutors believe this tactic was meant to avoid cross-examination and conceal inconsistencies in their statements.

The courtroom was also surprised by the sudden appearance of lawyer Humphrey Tumwesigye, a known legal representative for Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga, who joined the defense midway through the hearing. Observers questioned why Ssenyonga’s legal team would take keen interest in defending a convict accused of framing Pastor Kayanja.

Earlier, D/ASP Bill Ndyamuhaki from the Police Cybercrime Department presented a phone call matrix showing multiple communications between Aggrey Kinene—a personal assistant to Pastor Ssenyonga—and the key suspects, including Reagan Ssentongo, further fueling speculation about coordination behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sam Kalungi, the medical officer who examined the alleged victims at the request of Pastor Ssenyonga, testified that his findings showed no evidence of sodomy, contradicting the claims made by the suspects.

Chief State Attorney Muwaganya criticized the defense for delaying proceedings, noting that the suspects had ample time since December last year to prepare. “My lord, they have had all the time. Their colleague Labib has already testified, yet they continue to claim they are not ready,” he remarked.

The accused—Reagan Ssentongo, Peter Sserugo, Israel Waiswa, Jamil Mwandha, Aggrey Kinene, Martin Kagolo, and Moses Tumwine (still at large)—are charged with conspiring to frame Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral in a fabricated sodomy scandal.

As the case proceeds, Sserugo’s broken testimony may have further weakened the defense’s position, casting doubt on the credibility of the accused and raising fresh questions about the motives behind the long-running allegations.