One of the nine people accused of blackmailing Pastor Robert Kayanja told the court that the pastor has used his influence to intimidate them and ensure they face criminal charges.
Regan Ssentongo, one of the accused persons, made the claims while giving his defence before the Mengo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Ssentongo alleged that he and some of the other accused had previously been sexually abused by Pastor Kayanja.
He claimed that after they demanded payment for work they had allegedly done for him, they were instead arrested and charged with different offences.
The allegations were made in court as part of Ssentongo’s defence. Pastor Kayanja has denied wrongdoing and is the complainant in the criminal case.
Ssentongo further testified that in July 2021, Pastor Kayanja allegedly hired him to work at his farm in Kiryandongo.
According to Ssentongo, he was instructed to recruit young men whom he claimed were intended for homosexual activities.
Referring to the pastor as “Muzeeyi,” Ssentongo told the court that he was put in charge of the Kiryandongo farm.
He alleged that he was handed access to a store where he found eight rifles and six pistols, which he said he photographed.
Ssentongo also claimed that the store contained lubricants and condoms, which he alleged were intended for homosexual activities. He further alleged that some of the items were sold in Wandegeya.
During his testimony, Ssentongo presented several photographs to the court. However, it was not immediately clear whether the images were taken at the Kiryandongo farm.
The photographs were extracted from Ssentongo’s mobile phone as part of a forensic examination whose report had earlier been presented before the court.
Ssentongo also alleged that while working at the farm, he underwent a week-long training conducted by a white man whom he claimed had been sent by Pastor Kayanja.
According to Ssentongo, the training focused on the behaviour of LGBTQ people and how they allegedly spread their activities in East Africa.
During the hearing, there was a brief exchange between the prosecution and the defence over the repeated mention of Pastor Kayanja’s name.
The prosecution asked the accused to avoid making allegations involving Pastor Kayanja.
However, defence lawyers from Ojambo & Company Advocates objected, arguing that it was impossible to exclude Pastor Kayanja from the proceedings because he is the complainant in the case.
Pastor Kayanja accuses the nine defendants of trespassing at his church and giving false information to police.
The trial was adjourned until July 9, when the hearing will continue.
