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.
