news 5 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Forensic Expert Clears Pastor Kayanja in Court Over Explicit Videos on Accused's Phone
A Uganda Police Force digital forensic expert testified in court that pornographic videos found on accused Reagan Ssentongo's phone were not sent by Pastor Robert Kayanja but came from social media and third parties. The testimony supports the pastor's defense in a case where nine youths allegedly plotted to frame him for sexual misconduct. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/expert-tells-court-pornographic-videos-on-accused-s-phone-not-linked-to-pastor-kayanja-5447410
A digital forensic examiner from the Uganda Police Force, Enock Kanene, told Mwanga II Grade One Magistrate’s Court that explicit videos on Reagan Ssentongo’s phone have no connection to Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral.
Kanene, testifying under cross-examination by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, stated he found no pornographic messages or videos exchanged between the pastor’s number and Ssentongo’s device. The eighth accused had relied on the phone’s content in his defense.
The expert explained that some videos were recorded with the phone’s camera, others downloaded from platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and additional files shared via WhatsApp from contacts such as ‘Adrian’ on August 10, 2021, and ‘Small Pin’.
Kanene identified a specific video showing a hidden face in a toilet wiping blood from the anus, sent by a number saved as Adrian Ssebbale. Ssebbale had earlier admitted to plotting with youths to fake evidence against the pastor using chicken blood.
The case involves nine youths charged with fabricating evidence to implicate Kayanja in sexual misconduct, trespassing, and giving false information to police. The prosecution questioned Kanene’s methods, including unofficial contact with accused Isreal Wasswa and use of open-source number identification.
Kanene admitted procedural lapses could be unethical and that forensic analysis relies on system data, prone to human error or bias. He stood firm that no material traced back to Kayanja.
The hearing adjourned to May 14 for defence re-examination.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)