The trial of nine youths accused of defaming prominent city pastor Robert Kayanja continued on Friday at Mwanga II Court, as the fourth defence witness gave a detailed unsworn testimony in defence.
Labib Khalifa, 24 had ealier told court that he was to give a sworn testimony only to change his mind today and refused to swear.
He has told Grade One Magistrate Adams Byarugaba that he has spent the past four years in prison over charges he along with eight others face.
These are ; conspiracy to defeat justice, criminal trespass at Rubaga Miracle Cathedral church , and giving false information to police.
Appearing on the stand Labib narrated how in 2017, while on a school holiday, he met a man named Joshua at Capital Shoppers supermarket in Bugolobi who invited him to join youth activities at Rubaga Miracle Centre.
After several visits, Labib claimed he was introduced to Pastor Kayanja, who allegedly began giving him gifts, including cash in both shillings and dollars.
Labib recounted in court how one time the pastor allegedly invited him to his office after a night service, asked him to switch- off his phone and to remove his shirt before he started showing him adult related videos and caressing him despite his resistance.
However since he didnot testify under oath , there was no way both the prosecution and court would verify the truthfulness of his claims against Pastor Kayanja since he could not be cross examined on his testimony.
Labib has stated that things between him and pastor Kayanja took a dark turn when he refused to pay him more money despite paying him 5 million shillings whenever they would meet.
Labib has told court that by 2019 , he demanded the pastor over shs340million which he claimed was payment for his work in security and at pastor Kayanja's farm in Kiryandongo. But later he testified that his money was slashed to Shs162 million after deducting money spent on his rent and meals for 40 months .
However before today's proceedings commenced , Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya informed court that the High Court had upheld the decision of the trial magistrate to to ban live media coverage of the trial.
Previously, prosecution had complained that some bloggers were being used to sensationalise the proceedings.
The matter has been adjourned to August, 28 and some other dates in September 2025 for further defence hearings.
Magistrate Byarugaba reminded the court of the seriousness of the charges and the need for justice to be pursued in line with due process.
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