On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the trial of the 9 men accused of conspiring to defame Miracle Centre Cathedral and its lead pastor, Robert Kayanja, resumed, at the Mwanga II Magistrates Court in Mengo, with two of the accused taking turns to clarify their roles in the long-running case.
The proceedings before Grade One Magistrate Adams Byarugaba saw Alex Wakamala, the 5th accused, conclude his testimony, while Israel Waiswa, the 6th accused, took the stand for the first time to present his defence.
Resuming from where he left off in the previous hearing, Wakamala reaffirmed that his appearance in a video appealing to Pastor Kayanja for money had been misunderstood, telling court that he only sought fulfilment of a promise made to him by the pastor after what he described as a reconciliation process several years ago.
“I appeared in that video asking Pastor Kayanja to give me the money he promised after sodomizing me,” Wakamala told court.
He explained that his involvement was not to defame the pastor, but to seek what he believed was a rightful commitment. Wakamala asked court to instruct prosecution to replay the full video, saying earlier sessions had only shown portions that did not capture the full context. This all came after state Prosecutor Jonathan Muwaganya, alleging that Wakamala had been coached on whatever he told court, and that he had had earlier engagements with another city pastor, Jackson Ssenyonga, who reportedly, is behind all the boys’ accusations against fellow Pastor (Kayanja). In the previous proceedings, Muwaganya had promised to show court videos of Wakamala, and other co-accused attending a meeting at Ssenyonga’s premises, something Wakamala denied ever doing.
He also denied suggestions that he was coached on what to say against the pastor (Kayanja), stressing that he spoke truthfully based on his own experience.
Represented by Ojambo & Company Advocates, Wakamala’s defence team told court that their client had consistently cooperated and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
When court reconvened on Thursday, Israel Waiswa took the stand to give his own defence, a new phase in the trial that has stretched over many months. Waiswa, a land broker and small shop owner based in Makerere–Kavule, told court that he was surprised to find himself among the accused persons since he had never been called by police to make any statement or assist in investigations.
“I was never summoned or even contacted by the police. I only learnt about the case when I was charged,” Waiswa told court.
He clarified that he never introduced himself as a lawyer or claimed to represent anyone at Old Kampala Police Station, adding that he has no affiliation with the Uganda Law Society. Waiswa said all this, denying allegations that he followed any alleged victims to Mulago Hospital or organised any youths to make accusations against Pastor Kayanja.
He also distanced himself from claims that he held a press conference at Kolping Hotel, describing them as false and damaging to his reputation.
“I have never been part of any meeting, press conference, or plan to accuse the pastor,” he said, maintaining that he had no knowledge of any conspiracy.
Waiswa added that he only knew one of his co-accused, Aggrey Kanene, from church, and met the others for the first time in court. He insisted that his name had been drawn into the matter unfairly and without evidence.
After Waiswa’s testimony, the defence team requested more time to prepare the remaining two accused persons, which State Prosecutor Jonathan Muwaganya objected, arguing that the defence had had sufficient time since the trial entered the defence stage in December 2024.
However, Magistrate Byarugaba allowed the adjournment, noting that six of the nine accused have so far given their testimony, leaving only two still to be heard, and later adjourning the case will resume on Wednesday, October 22.
The nine accused persons are charged with conspiracy to fabricate evidence and criminal trespass at Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral, allegedly with the intent to annoy and defame Pastor Kayanja. All the six who have so far testified, have strongly denied any wrongdoing, with many saying their involvement, only stems from pastor Kayanja’s failure to pay them the money he had promised to give each one, after sodomizing them.
