Pastors Kyazze and Kayira chatting outside Mwanga II Court in Kampala on Tuesday

By Edward Anyoli

TWO senior pastors of Omega Healing Centre were yesterday charged with conspiracy to cause injury to Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre.

Robert Kayiira and Michael Kyazze were charged at Mwanga II Court in Lubaga before Grade One Magistrate Jeneva Natukunda

Kaira was also charged with criminal trespass into the premises of Rubaga Miracle Centre.

The pastors denied the charges and were granted non-cash bail of sh500,000. Their sureties, who included Pastor Martin Sempa, Pastor Joshua Lwere, David Odyee and Bernard Kugonza executed a bond of sh1m.

Prosecution said the two pastors on April 17, 2009 illegally entered Pastor Kayanja’s premises with intention to annoy him and injure his reputation.

It further alleges that the pastors went with a laptop purporting that they were going to download sodomy and pornographic material that was being used by Pastor Kayanja.

Under the Penal Code, the offence of conspiracy attracts five years imprisonment on conviction, while criminal trespass attracts a one-year jail term.

The accused pastors first appeared before Grade II Magistrate Wilson Wandera, who declined to handle their case, saying he had no jurisdiction to hear a criminal case of that magnitude.

Wandera referred them to Natukunda.

The magistrate sent away journalists and about 30 Christians, saying she did not want anyone else around except the accused, their lawyers and the prosecutor.

She gave no reason for barring journalists from covering the proceedings, prompting them to eavesdrop through open widows and the door.

Prosecutor Andrew Walube said investigations were ongoing and asked court for time to enable the Police complete inquiries.

The case was adjourned to December 3.

Initially, the Police interrogated four pastors implicated in the allegation of sodomy against Kayanja. But only Kyazze and Kayiira were charged.

A source said the Director of Public Prosecution recommended that pastors Sempa and Solomon Male be further investigated before they could be charged.

After court granted the two pastors bail, their followers burst out singing hymns and shouting “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, God is great.”