KAMPALA
A big row has erupted in Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga’s black mail camp over money. Reliable sources have revealed that Reagan Sentongo and and hus co-accused in the Kayanja black mail plot are up in arns and have sent communication to pastor Senyonga through one of his lawyers Humphrey Tumwesigye complaining that Israel waiswa Ssenyonga’s bodyguard and their co accused no longer pays monies owed to them and that they are no longer visited in prison.
The source noted that the money the suspects are demanding is money that was promised to them to falsely testify in the ongoing court case.
This is not the first time time Isreal Waiswa is diverting money meant for youth hired by Ssenyonga to defame kayanja. In 2023 he diverted money that Ssenyonga had paid to Two youth Mapengo and Bayichi to frame kayanja
The source further revealed that the bitter suspects threatened to reveal the whole blackmail plot against Kayanja since it was the third time they were not being paid. From the onset Ssenyonga had promised Ssentongo and his co-accused 30m each to defame Kayanja , an amount he didn’t pay.
The Ssenyonga camp is also in disarray after it failed to present their next witness Doctor Bwambale. Sources say there is a disagreement between the lawyers of pastor Jackson senyonga and doctor Bwambale who is afraid to testify as Senyonga’s lawyers led by Robert Ojambo Tumwesigye are pressuring to give a false and coached testimony a thing the doctor is not willing to comply with despite promises of money.
The source also reveals that Ojambo, Tumwesigye and other lawyers that Ssenyonga hired to defend the suspects are bitter that he(Ssenyonga) has delayed to pay them and are threatening to drop the case.Kayanja case adjourned as defence witness misses court.
In a letter written to the magistrate by Ojambo on Thursday August 13, the defense assured court that Dr. Bwambale had postponed his travel and would be available today.
However, tables turned today as he failed to turn up sighting travel to Moroto though sources say he refused to turn up.
Sources also overheard Reagan Ssentongo and his co-accused pleading with the lawyers on phone to turn up for the session and that Ssenyonga would pay them their arrears
Meanwhile today tge Mwanga II Magistrates Court has adjourned the defence after defence witness Dr. Bwambale failed to appear in court.
Principal Magistrate Adams Byarugaba adjourned the case to September 7, 2026, after Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya withdrew a prosecution objection to Bwambale’s testimony, while defence lawyer Humphrey Tumwesigye explained the circumstances surrounding the witness’s absence.
Muwaganya represented the prosecution, while Tumwesigye appeared for the accused persons. Defence lawyers Bernard Mugenyi and Robert Ojambo were not in court.
Tumwesigye told court that there had been communication regarding Bwambale’s availability and that the witness had indicated that he would be available on August 24, 2026.
However, Bwambale was not in court. Tumwesigye told court that he had received WhatsApp messages from Bwambale in the morning, informing him that he would not be available for court because he was held up in Moroto and the chopper had not picked him up.
Tumwesigye explained that the witness’s availability had also been affected by other commitments, including a trip to Dar es Salaam, and asked court to consider a date that would allow the witness and the lawyers to be present.
Muwaganya told court that the State had earlier raised an objection to the testimony of Dr. Bwambale, including the medical reports he was expected to produce.
He said the objection had been raised to ensure that the concerns surrounding the witness were addressed and that there would be no impediment to the proceedings.
Muwaganya subsequently withdrew the objection after the issues surrounding Bwambale’s testimony had been addressed.
Muwaganya said he had been instructed and well guided to focus on the merits of the trial so that it would not be said that evidence had been suppressed.
“We want the defence to have an opportunity to bring on board whatever piece of evidence in their possession so that this court can be availed with sufficient materials to take a decision. But once an objection is withdrawn, it stands to be so because there is no value in traversing the process that the mover has lost interest,” Muwaganya submitted.
The State told court that it would not be useful to fix a hearing date when the necessary parties could not attend.
Court considers Bwambale’s qualifications
In his ruling, Byarugaba referred to correspondence from the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council concerning Bwambale.
The magistrate said court had received a letter dated August 19, 2026, seeking clarification concerning the contents of Bwambale’s evidence, particularly matters relating to examination in sexual-offence cases.
Byarugaba also referred to another letter dated August 20, 2026, in which the registrar guided that although Bwambale is registered as a dentist, he holds a Master’s qualification in Pathology.
The magistrate said that, by virtue of his qualification in pathology, Bwambale is able to handle pathological conditions, including those arising from sexual offences.
Byarugaba said the correspondence had settled the issue concerning the witness.
The magistrate further observed that once an objection had been withdrawn, there was no longer an impediment to the defence presenting its evidence.
He said the defence should be given an opportunity to bring before court whatever evidence it intended to rely on so that court could make its decision based on sufficient material.
On the next hearing date, Byarugaba said court would proceed when all counsel for the accused persons and the State are present and fixed September 7, 2026, for continuation of the defence hearing.
He cautioned the defence team to take the scheduled dates seriously, as the case was already under the backlog category and needed to be concluded.
The case was subsequently adjourned to September 7, 2026, for further defence hearing.
The nine youths are accused of defaming Pastor Robert Kayanja. They have denied the allegations and are currently presenting their defence.
