NATIONAL
In what appears to be another delaying tactic by the defense in the Pastor Kayanja case, one of the suspects failed to appear in court today. This left the court with no choice but to issue an arrest warrant, as neither the suspect nor his sureties were present.
Martin Kagolo (A6) failed to appear, with his lawyers claiming his phones were switched off. This raised eyebrows, as the defense has frequently used tactics that have seen the case adjourned more than a dozen times.
With the legal team hired by Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga set to cross-examine forensic expert Enock Kanene, it appeared they were ill-prepared and resorted to stalling. It is worth noting that Kanene, who was previously approached by Ssenyonga’s bodyguard, Israel Waiswa, had already revealed that no pornographic content was found on the phone of Reagan Ssentongo, where the defense alleged key evidence was located.
Left with no other options, Ssenyonga and his legal team appeared to trigger an adjournment through the disappearance of one of the accused.
The Court’s Ruling
Magistrate Adams Byarugaba, the Chief Magistrate at Mwanga II Mengo, issued an arrest warrant and criminal summons.
“I have heard the submissions from both sides regarding the absence of Martin Kagolo without justifiable grounds,” the Magistrate stated. “It is only fair to communicate through sureties or a legal team to save court time and resources. Therefore, let a warrant of arrest be issued for him so the court may hear his explanation.”
The Magistrate further ordered: “Any police officer should arrest him on sight and produce him in court. Criminal summons are issued for his sureties, and a travel ban is placed on Kagolo. The immigration office should take immediate effect.”
The State’s Objection
This ruling followed an admission by the defense that they were unaware of their client’s whereabouts. “At this point, we do not know where he is, and we are unsure if the court will allow us to proceed without him,” they submitted.
Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya challenged the defense’s position, questioning whether they could legally proceed without their client.
“The defense has noted his phones are off but has not confirmed if he attempted to communicate,” Muwaganya argued. “There are two things for this court to consider: First, whether the defense still holds instructions from a client they have lost contact with. Second, if they have lost contact, is it professionally right to carry on?”
Muwaganya also pointed out that the sureties, who were presented by the defense team, were also absent. “The sureties signed a contract with this court. If that contract is breached, a warrant is necessary.”
Defense and Co-Accused Response
The co-accused, Wakamala, attempted to explain Kagolo’s absence, claiming: “He first said he was sick, then he called from a random number saying his phone was stolen. Now, both his numbers are off.”
The State dismissed this, noting that an explanation must come from a surety or legal counsel, not a co-accused. The defense argued that an arrest warrant was “harsh” and requested a simple criminal summons instead, stating, “We are simply waiting for his known numbers to come back online.”
Wakamala even offered to check Kagolo’s workplace, but the State countered: “Court orders are not issued in vain. If the defense and sureties, the people closest to him, don’t know where he is, a summons is a waste of time. You can appear in court with or without a phone.”
The State concluded by noting that this was not the first time Kagolo had traveled or disappeared without notice.
Furthermore, it should be recalled that in 2022, Reagan Ssentongo and Khalifa Labib, both former workers at Pastor Kayanja’s farm in Kiryandongo, were sentenced to six years for aggravated robbery and assault. They are currently seeking bail at the Masindi High Court before Judge Issa Sserunkuuma.
It should be recalled that on May 6, 2025, the other accused, Moses Tumwine, also vanished. His mother, Tracy Namugga, who had stood surety for him, was subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison.
Tumwine is co-accused alongside Peter Serugo, Reagan Ssentongo, Khalifa Labeeb, Alex Wakamala, Martins Kagolo, Israel Wasswa, Jamil Mwanda, and Aggrey Kinene. They are facing charges of conspiring to defame Pastor Robert Kayanja and trespassing at Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral.
Furthermore, in 2022, Reagan Ssentongo and Khalifa Labib, both former workers at Pastor Kayanja’s farm in Kiryandongo, were sentenced to six years for aggravated robbery and assault. They are currently seeking bail at the Masindi High Court before Judge Issa Sserunkuuma.
The case has been adjourned to May 21, 2026.
