Pastors Told to Stop Comments on Sodomy Case, Andrew Bagala, Daily Monitor, May 23, 2009

Pastors Told to Stop Comments on Sodomy Case

By Andrew Bagala
Daily Monitor
May 23, 2009

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Pastors_told_to_stop_comments_on_sodomy_case_85125.shtml

L-R: Associate Pastor Jerome Ntege Kisitu , Pastor Male, Mr David Mukalazi and Pastor Ssempa at the CID headquarters in Kibuli Kampala yesterday.
Photo by Yusuf Muziransa

The Police yesterday ordered the pastors being interrogated on allegations that they set up Rubaga Miracle Cathedral Pastor Robert Kayanja in a sodomy allegations, not to comment on any matter regarding the case in the press.

Pastor Martin Ssempa told journalists after his brief meeting with the Criminal Investigations Directorate boss Edward Ochom and his deputy in charge of investigations, Moses Sakira at Kibuli that the group had been warned of dire consequences if they continue commenting about the issues in the media.

“I can’t comment because the detectives have told me not to do so,” Pastor Ssempa told journalists.

Although Pastor Ssempa of Makerere Community Church, together with his colleagues Solomon Male of Arise for Christ and Bob Kayiira of Omega Healing Centre appeared at 11am yesterday at CID headquarters as directed by detectives, only Pastor Kayiira was interrogated. All the pastors have been told to again appear at CID today at 9am.

Accordingly, the pastors have been told not to address press conferences and make comments.

The orders were issued by Mr Ochom and Mr Sakira.

CID publicist Joseph Obwana confirmed the development but said the pastors were only restricted on what they discussed with interrogators.

“The director (CID) was trying to advise them against making unnecessary comments to the media,” Mr Obwana said.

Surprisingly, the two alleged victims, Mr Samson Mukisa and Mr David Mukalazi, whom police said retracted their earlier statements of sodomy against Pastor Kayanja, appeared at CID with their lawyer Andrew Kasirye and denied retracting their statements.

Mr Mukalazi said: “I recorded that last statement at CID headquarters a month ago but I have never changed my statement. I have come to CID to give reaffirm that.”

However, detectives did not record his statement but concentrated on Mr Mukisa who by press time was still being interrogated. His alleged mother, Oliver Nansubuga, also appeared at CID.

Mr Ochom on Sunday summoned five pastors after CID investigated cases in which six people including; Mr Samson Mukisa, Mr James Ntwatwa, Mr Ronny Mutebi, Mr David Mukalazi, Mr Akansiime and Mr Robinson Matovu alleged that they were sodomised by Pastor Kayanja while they were at his Rubaga Miracle Cathedral.