Uganda Police Surgeon: Kayanja Case Sodomy Findings Negative

• Police surgeon Dr. Phenehance Bwambale testified that he found no physical evidence of sodomy on seven suspects accused in the Robert Kayanja case.
• Dr. Bwambale examined the suspects' anal regions, noting normal buttocks, sphincters, and reflexes, with no signs consistent with sodomy.
• During cross-examination, the surgeon admitted he could not medically verify "collaborative information" provided by the suspects, such as alleged condom use or perpetrator characteristics.
• He also stated that a "moving tail bone" condition observed in two suspects could not be linked to sodomy, citing multiple other potential causes.
• The testimony is seen as strengthening the prosecution's argument that the accused fabricated evidence against Pastor Kayanja, and the case has been adjourned to October 1, 2026.

Dr. Phenehance Bwambale, a police surgeon, informed the court that his examination of the anal regions of the seven accused individuals revealed no signs consistent with acts of sodomy.

A police surgeon recently informed a Ugandan court that his medical examinations revealed no evidence of sodomy on any of the seven individuals accused of fabricating evidence against Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre. Dr. Phenehance Bwambale, a police surgeon attached to Kabalye Police Training School, presented these findings as the tenth defense witness in the six-year-old case, which centers on allegations of fabricating evidence against the prominent pastor.

Dr. Bwambale testified that he conducted thorough examinations of the anal regions of the seven suspects, including Reagan Ssentogo, Labib Khalifa, Martin Kagoro, Peter Serugo, Alex Wakamala, and Moses Tumwine. His findings indicated that their buttocks were normal, their sphincters and reflexes functioned typically, and their anal regions remained intact, showing no signs consistent with acts of sodomy. These examinations were carried out at both Masindi Main Prison and Nsambya Police Health Centre IV.

During cross-examination by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, Dr. Bwambale explicitly confirmed that he found no evidence of sodomy on any of the accused persons. This direct statement addressed questions regarding whether any of the individuals in the dock had been sodomized, reinforcing the absence of physical indicators.

The cross-examination of Dr. Bwambale delved into the nature of information recorded in the medical forms, particularly what was described as "collaborative information." This included details such as alleged condom use, a reference to "Jerry," a scar on the upper back, and the alleged non-circumcision of the perpetrator, all of which Dr. Bwambale had noted under the observations section of the forms. Chief State Attorney Muwaganya pressed the surgeon on how he had medically verified these specific pieces of information.

Dr. Bwambale conceded that these details had been provided to him directly by the boys and that he lacked the means to independently medically verify them. When asked how he could medically verify information supplied by the accused, the doctor responded, "How can I verify that?" The defense team, represented by Humphrey Tumwesigye, objected to this line of questioning, arguing that medical forms require doctors to record "any other observation." However, the court, presided over by Mwanga II Chief Magistrate Adams Byarugaba, directed Dr. Bwambale to answer, emphasizing that he must respond even to challenging questions.

Further questioning by Muwaganya specifically targeted which details regarding alleged condom use and lubricants the police surgeon had medically verified. Dr. Bwambale unequivocally replied, "None of those," underscoring the distinction between reported information and medically confirmed findings.

Beyond the sodomy allegations, the defense had previously submitted police medical forms, signed by Dr. Bwambale, as exhibits. Among these documents were two forms indicating that two of the boys presented with a "moving tail bone." However, Dr. Bwambale clarified that he could not establish a link between this condition and acts of sodomy, explaining that various factors, including infections, cancers, HIV/AIDS, and other forms of external trauma, could cause it. He had recommended a lumbar X-ray for these two individuals to ascertain the cause, but he could not confirm whether these recommended examinations were ever carried out.

Dr. Bwambale's testimony appears to lend support to the prosecution's assertion that nine accused youths, allegedly driven by ulterior motives, conspired with a long-standing adversary of Pastor Robert Kayanja. The prosecution contends that this group orchestrated a scheme, without substantive evidence, to tarnish the pastor's reputation. The legal proceedings saw the defense lawyers request additional time to re-examine Dr. Bwambale following his cross-examination.

In light of these developments, the court has adjourned the case to October 1, 2026, to allow for further defense hearings. This extended adjournment underscores the complex and protracted nature of the six-year-old legal battle.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post