The Mwanga II Magistrate, Adams Byarugaba, has warned defence lawyers representing nine accused persons in a blackmail case involving Pastor Robert Kayanja to stop what he described as repeated and unjustified excuses that have delayed the trial for years.
The accused are facing charges of blackmail and conspiracy, arising from allegations that they attempted to extort money from the senior pastor.
Late last year, the defence team asked court for an adjournment, arguing that one of the accused, Reagan Ssentongo, had crucial information that needed to be extracted from his mobile phone. The request was granted, and the case was adjourned to January 13, 2026.
However, when the matter came up again this week, defence lawyers Humphrey Tumwesigye, Robert Odhiambo and Bernard Mugenyi told court they were still not ready and sought another adjournment to January 23.
On January 23, despite having already received the required report, the defence again told court they were unprepared and asked for yet another adjournment. This drew sharp criticism from both the prosecution and the magistrate.
State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya objected to the request, saying court time had been wasted.
“Your Honour, court initially gave us five days which were not utilised. Another five days were added, and now two more days have also passed. We need to be mindful of time,” Muwaganya said.
He asked court to stop what he described as deliberate attempts to delay justice, noting that the witness was present and ready to testify.
In his ruling, Magistrate Byarugaba warned the defence that the court would no longer tolerate delays.
“This case has taken more than three years because of cat-and-mouse games. Both parties should be ready for a marathon of lengthy court sessions so that we recover lost time. I do not want excuses going forward,” he said.
Before adjourning the case to February 4, 2026, the magistrate issued a further warning, saying court proceedings would continue even in the absence of defence lawyers.
“I do not want to hear excuses about election petitions or other engagements. We shall proceed regardless,” he said.
During the session, Ssentongo agreed to testify under oath, unlike some of his co-accused, including Sserugo, Labib Khalifa, Alex Wakamala and Martin Kagolo. The prosecution urged court to ensure time is not wasted.
The case stems from events preceding the trial, in which it was alleged that Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga’s bodyguard, Isreal Waiswa, and his personal assistant, Aggrey Kanene, facilitated medical examinations of some of the accused.
The police doctor later testified under oath that the results did not support the claims made by the suspects.
Some of the accused later testified without taking oath, a move that raised questions and drew public attention alongside the continued delays in court.
Court also heard that in 2022, Ssentongo and co-accused Khalifa Labib were convicted and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery and assault. They are currently seeking bail at the Masindi High Court before Justice Issa Sserunkuuma.
The two, who were former workers at Pastor Kayanja’s farm in Kiryandongo, were found guilty of attacking Patrick Turyatemba at his home in Kigumba on April 25, 2020. They reportedly beat him and sprayed him with pepper spray.
They were arrested shortly after the incident and pepper spray was recovered from their room. Chief Magistrate Lucy Kabahuma sentenced them to six years in prison, inclusive of the one year they had spent on remand.
