By Aggrey Baba
Mwanga II Magistrate’s Court in Mengo on Thursday heard extraordinary testimony from one of the young men accused of conspiring to tarnish the reputation of prominent city pastor, Robert Kayanja.
The revelations, shared under oath by a witness identified as Peter Serugo, painted a picture of what allegedly transpired several years ago when he sought educational assistance from the pastor’s Rubaga Miracle Centre Church, in Kampala.
According to Serugo, the events date back to 2017, when he was 16 years old and inspired by televised appeals from the pastor, who often invited needy youth to visit his church for guidance and sponsorship. Serugo told court that he travelled to the church with his brother Henry Lyazi and a friend Joel Kalungi, who was already working there and promised to introduce them to the man of God.
The trio reportedly waited through an overnight service and eventually met the pastor in the early morning hours. Serugo said they informed him that their intention was to benefit from the scholarship and support programs promoted by the church. The pastor, he said, appeared welcoming and instructed one of his aides (a man known among the church staff as Papa Ivan) to assist the boys with all further arrangements.
Court heard that Serugo and his brother later began volunteering at the church, cleaning the compound and assisting in various activities, as they awaited confirmation for Bible college admission and other promised support.
However, Serugo claimed that his interaction with the pastor took an unexpected and uncomfortable turn one evening when he was called into the pastor’s private office. He told court that the pastor engaged him in a conversation that soon became inappropriate, and when he hesitated, he was allegedly threatened.
Serugo described to the magistrate that a pistol was placed on the table as a warning, after which he was allegedly forced into a disturbing encounter (sodomy).
He said that afterwards, he experienced physical pain and bleeding. When he requested to go to hospital, the pastor reportedly advised that he would be treated by church doctors. Serugo claimed that by morning, he was visited by individuals introduced to him as guests from State House, who handed him some money. He further alleged that the pastor himself later gave him UGX 4 million, which he said was meant to help with treatment.
Court also heard that church officials subsequently visited his home, urging him to return to the church. Serugo told the magistrate that what followed were more uncomfortable meetings, one of which allegedly involved a foreign visitor introduced to him by the pastor. He claimed that this visitor also sodomized him and handed him USD 2,000, which the pastor later took back, saying it was part of a deal.”
Serugo further narrated that he was often cautioned not to speak out and that his attempts to raise the matter publicly were met with accusations of being part of a conspiracy to destroy the pastor’s name.
The magistrate noted the gravity of the claims and adjourned the case to November 6, when another accused person is expected to give their testimony.
Although the ongoing case in court officially revolves around alleged conspiracy and defamation against the Kayanja’s ministry, Serugo’s testimony introduced a parallel narrative of intimidation, hush money, and alleged misconduct, elements that have now drawn wider public attention. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
