news 7 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Pastor Kayanja Defamation Case: Defence Drops Witness Amid Hostility Fears
The defence team in the defamation case against nine youths accused of targeting Pastor Robert Kayanja has decided to close their case after abandoning a key witness from Makerere University due to concerns she might become hostile. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/pastor-kayanja-defamation-case-defence-abandons-witness-says-he-may-turn-hostile-5623394
The legal battle surrounding defamation allegations against Pastor Robert Kayanja has taken a new turn as the defence team announced its decision to conclude its presentation of evidence.
Initially, the defence planned to call a witness from Makerere University to authenticate translations and transcriptions of audio and video recordings central to the case. However, this plan was abandoned after concerns arose about the witness’s suitability and potential to become hostile.
Defence lawyer Bernard Mugenyi informed the court that attempts to review the evidence with a representative from Makerere University revealed that the proposed witness was not involved in the original translation and transcription work. “We attempted to go through the evidence with her and it became apparent that she was not at Makerere at the time the translations in issue were done. She is neither the author nor did she at any stage participate in the translation and transcription process,” Mugenyi stated.
These circumstances led the defence to suspect that the witness might be influenced to testify unfavorably, prompting them to “close our case with ten witnesses.” This decision follows an earlier rejection by the court of the defence’s attempt to introduce a different language expert from Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).
The prosecution, while prepared to proceed, expressed respect for the defence’s choice. The case involves nine youths accused of fabricating evidence, giving false information to the police, and criminal trespass related to allegations made against Pastor Kayanja.
With the defence having presented ten witnesses and now closing its case, the trial is moving towards the submission phase. The court has directed that the court record be typed and provided to both parties before setting December 9 for further proceedings.