High Court upholds sentence granted to Pastor Ssempa and colleagues

The high court has upheld the sentence given to the four pastors over defaming their fellow pastor- Kayanja.

The pastors who include Martin Ssempa of Makerere Christian Centre , Michael Kyazze of Omega Healing Ministries, Solomon Male of Arising for Christ Church and Robert Kayiira were sentenced to 100 hours of community service and a fine of Sh.1million each for defaming fellow pastor Robert Kayanja. But, they appealed the ruling made by Buganda Road magistrate Julius Barore.

However,Justice Joseph Murangira of the High Court concurred with the decision of the magistrate and held that the group had been rightly convicted.

“Am satisfied that the magistrate evaluated all his evidence well and there is no reason to fault him. I find that he was even so lenient to give such a punishment and therefore advice you to go home and leave a Christian life and serve the country,” Justice Murangira ruled.

The judge also ruled that the group knew that they had to defend themselves but decided to play delaying tactics by spending a period of 8 months without appearing in court.

The four city pastors accuse Rubaga Miracle Centre Pastor Robert Kayanja of sodomizing his male flock.

It should be noted that High court Judge had previously advised Ssempa and company to sit down and agree on some issues outside court with pastor Kayanja.

DEVELOPING.

Meanwhile, the convicted pastors have expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling ruling. They say that they are so disappointed with the judgement.

“This has now turned into a ‘long walk to freedom’ and for that we are going to appeal in the Court of Appeal until court finds those people who did this. I grieve for Ugandans who are searching for justice. For 5years we have lived in conspiracy,” one of the pastors, Ssempa said after the judgment was read.