A dramatic session unfolded before Mwanga II Chief Magistrate’s Court after one of the young men accusing city pastor Robert Kayanja of sodomy claimed that he had earlier been coached to present a false story about his background in order to attract financial support from foreign donors.
Reagan Ssentongo, one of the nine youths facing charges in connection with allegations involving the Miracle Centre Cathedral leader, told court that a video presented by the prosecution did not represent the truth about his life but was instead based on a script he was allegedly instructed to follow.
Ssentongo made the claims while appearing before Chief Magistrate Adams Byarugaba during cross-examination by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya.
The prosecution had presented a video recorded shortly after Ssentongo joined Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral in 2016, where he was seen telling the congregation that he had previously lived as a street child before his life changed after joining Pastor Kayanja’s church.
In the video, Ssentongo reportedly narrated how he had struggled before finding support and a new direction through the church.
However, when questioned about the footage, Ssentongo rejected the account and insisted that he had been trained on what to say before appearing before the congregation.
He claimed that Pastor Kayanja and a church administrator known as “Papa Ivan” instructed him and other youths on how to present their stories in a way that would encourage foreign supporters to provide financial assistance.
“I was coached to say whatever I said so that we could get funders,” Ssentongo told court, maintaining that the presentation was aimed at attracting donations.
He further explained that he was not actually living on the streets as portrayed in the video, saying that he came from Ndeeba where he lived with his mother before joining the church.
According to Ssentongo, he joined the church after being informed that sponsors would support him and help him continue with his education.
The prosecution, however, relied on the video as evidence to challenge his credibility, arguing that his earlier statements contradicted the accusations he later made against Pastor Kayanja.
The state suggested that Ssentongo’s current allegations were fabricated and that the video demonstrated a different version of events.
Ssentongo disagreed, insisting that the video was a rehearsed presentation and that the words he spoke were not entirely his own.
He also pointed out that Pastor Kayanja was heard in the same video telling the congregation that one of his spiritual sons abroad had promised to send Shs100,000 every month to support the young men.
The court also heard claims surrounding an audio recording that the prosecution presented, which allegedly captured Ssentongo speaking with another pastor accused of encouraging the youths to make allegations against Kayanja.
However, Ssentongo dismissed the recording, arguing that the voice was unclear and that it was impossible to confirm that he was the person speaking.
He challenged the prosecution to identify the specific parts of the recording where he allegedly made statements that could be used against him.
During the proceedings, Ssentongo maintained that he had worked under Pastor Kayanja’s establishment and rejected suggestions that he had no official role within the church structures.
He told court that while stationed at a farm in Kiryandongo, he performed several duties and claimed he was assigned different responsibilities during his time there.
Ssentongo is among nine young men facing charges including defamation, criminal trespass and conspiracy following an incident at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga where they were arrested after allegedly going to demand money they claimed they were promised.
The youths have previously alleged that they were sexually abused by Pastor Kayanja, claims that have not been proven in court and which the pastor has denied.
The defence has maintained that the young men are presenting their personal experiences, while the prosecution has focused on challenging their credibility and questioning the consistency of their accounts.
The case continues before Mwanga II Court, with more witnesses expected to appear as both sides present their evidence in the ongoing legal battle.
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