KAMPALA, Uganda – The usually calm Mwanga II Court in Mengo was on fire Thursday when jaw-droping details emerged linking pastor Robert Kayanja to what a young witness described as a disturbing private session gone wrong.
The witness, Peter Serugo, left court in dead silence as he narrated how what began as a journey for education support from the man of God’s church in Rubaga allegedly turned into a night of humiliation and fear, after he was sodomized by the pastor.
According to Serugo, he was only 16 years old in 2017 when he walked into the pastor’s church, encouraged by televised appeals promising scholarships and help for needy youths. Together with his brother Henry Lyazi and their friend Joel Kalungi, who reportedly worked at the church, hoping to meet the famous preacher and join the Bible College.
Things seemed normal at first, as they were introduced to church aides and told to wait for the pastor’s attention. Around 5am, during the overnight, the pastor reportedly called them forward and prayed with them. But what followed, Serugo told court, was a completely different story.
He said the pastor later summoned him privately, telling him to “freshen up once he reached his office.” Once there, Serugo alleged, the atmosphere changed. He was allegedly told to relax and “trust the process” if he wanted his scholarship approved, and he was sodomized by the city pastor.
Court heard that the conversation soon turned personal, with the young man left frightened by the pastor’s behaviour and the tone of the meeting. When he attempted to resist, Serugo claimed he was warned of serious consequences if he ever spoke about what happened in that office.
He said that the following morning, visitors who were said to be from State House arrived at the church. Soon after, Serugo was handed an envelope containing 4 million shillings, reportedly for medical and upkeep support.
But the story didn’t end there. Serugo said that even after leaving the church, he was traced by people claiming to be sent by the pastor, asking him to return for “counselling.” On one occasion, he said, he was even introduced to a foreign visitor who allegedly gave him money under unclear circumstances.
The chilling testimony is part of a long-running case in which Serugo and other boys were initially accused of defaming the same pastor years ago. The new revelations have, however, thrown a dark shadow over the matter, with observers wondering what really happened behind the walls of the Rubaga-based ministry.
The case has now been pushed to November 6, when another accused person is expected to give their account.
