A police doctor, Dr Phenehas Bwambale, has testified before Mwanga II Court in Mengo that he medically examined seven of the nine young men facing charges related to alleged trespassing at Miracle Centre and defamation of Pastor Robert Kayanja over accusations of homosexuality.
Dr Bwambale gave his testimony on Monday before Chief Magistrate Adams Byarugaba as the court hearing continued.
The doctor told court that he examined the seven accused individuals and found that some had injuries.
He said he was attached to Kawempe Police Station under KMP North, where his duties included conducting medical examinations in cases involving sexual assault.
According to Dr Bwambale, the matter was referred to him by Inspector Nandutu, who was handling the case at the regional level.
He said the accused persons were examined in different groups, with some undergoing medical examinations at Nsambya Police Hospital and others at Masindi Prison.
Sserugo Peter
Dr Bwambale told court that he examined Sserugo Peter at Masindi Prison on October 2, 2021.
According to the doctor, Sserugo was 21 years old at the time and said he had joined Pastor Kayanja’s church in 2016.
The court heard that Sserugo claimed that approximately two weeks after joining the church, he was summoned to the pastor’s office, where he alleged that Pastor Kayanja made romantic advances towards him and made several promises.
Dr Bwambale further testified that Sserugo alleged he was sexually assaulted for the first time in 2017 and subsequently experienced pain in his lower abdomen and back, particularly when sitting for extended periods.
The doctor said Sserugo appeared mentally alert during the examination. He examined his head, chest and other parts of his body before examining the buttocks and anal region.
According to his testimony, the examination revealed injuries and internal scars, with Sserugo reporting severe pain.
Dr Bwambale told court that such injuries can result from external or internal trauma, sexual assault, infections or other medical conditions.
He said he recommended that Sserugo undergo an X-ray examination of his lower back.
Wakamala Alex
The court also heard that Dr Bwambale examined Wakamala Alex on October 26, 2021, at Nsambya Police Hospital.
Wakamala was reportedly 26 years old at the time, unemployed and living with a partner.
The doctor said Wakamala told him that he had joined Pastor Kayanja’s church approximately five years earlier and initially took part in church activities before later being taken to Kiryandongo.
According to the testimony, Wakamala alleged that Pastor Kayanja sexually assaulted him about 10 times, mostly after evening church services.
Dr Bwambale said Wakamala was mentally alert when examined but had injuries around the anal region.
The doctor explained that such injuries can have several possible causes, including external or internal trauma, sexual assault, infections and other medical conditions.
He also noted a circumcision scar and recommended an X-ray after Wakamala reported experiencing pain.
The medical report, as presented in court, also recorded Wakamala’s allegation that the alleged assailant used a condom and lubricant and was uncircumcised.
Other accused persons
Dr Bwambale also testified about his examination of Ssentongo Peter while the accused was at Masindi Prison.
He told court that Ssentongo alleged that he had been sexually assaulted twice at the church.
The doctor also referred to Labibu Kalifa, who reportedly declined to undergo another medical examination unless he was brought from prison.
He further mentioned Tumwine Moses, Kagoro Martin and Tumukunde Simon, saying that examinations of the three did not reveal injuries around their buttocks.
According to the doctor’s testimony, some of the accused persons reported that condoms and lubricants were allegedly used during the incidents they described. He also said some had circumcision scars.
Questions over medical findings
During cross-examination, government prosecutor Jonathan Muwaganya questioned Dr Bwambale about the medical basis for his findings and whether the injuries he observed could conclusively establish that the accused persons had been sexually assaulted.
The doctor’s evidence largely centred on the medical examinations he conducted, the complaints made by the accused persons and the findings documented in the respective medical reports.
The allegations presented in court remain subject to the judicial process, and the testimony does not by itself establish criminal liability.
The case is scheduled to resume on October 1, 2026, when further proceedings are expected.
