Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga was reportedly left in shock after a Makerere University linguistics expert declined to testify in the defamation case involving fellow pastor Robert Kayanja, forcing the defence to close its case as the trial draws to a close.
Ssenyonga, whom Kayanja’s side believes was a key architect of the alleged blackmail plot against the pastor, is understood to have hired lawyers led by Robert Ojambo to defend the suspects in the defamation case.
The defence had expected the Makerere University linguistics expert to appear in court and testify on behalf of the suspects.
However, the witness turned down the request to testify, leaving Ssenyonga’s lawyers with no option but to close the defence case.
The defence team subsequently claimed that the witness had been compromised, raising questions over the circumstances surrounding his failure to appear and testify.
The development followed another setback for Ssenyonga’s legal team on Monday, when court reportedly rejected an attempt to replace the Makerere University expert with another witness from Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).
According to the defence, the UBC witness had been handpicked to replace the Makerere expert. However, court declined to allow the substitution.
The twin setbacks have reportedly put Ssenyonga and his legal team under pressure as the long-running case enters its final stages.
Sources close to the proceedings said Ssenyonga later held a crisis meeting with his lawyers and associates to discuss how best to respond to the latest developments in court.
TikTok Claims Spark Controversy
Meanwhile, the case has also been surrounded by false information being spread on social media.
Last week, TikTokers including Olivia Kateme and Mark Kigozi, among others, allegedly claimed that the case had already ended and that Kayanja had lost.
The claims were false, as court proceedings were still ongoing at the time.
The social media reports have therefore raised concern among Kayanja’s supporters, who accuse the TikTokers of misleading the public about the status of the case.
Court Adjourns Case to December
Today, court sat and heard the matter before adjourning the case to December 9, 2026, when the proceedings are expected to resume.
The adjournment comes after the defence closed its case, leaving the long-running defamation dispute at a critical stage as the parties await the next phase of the proceedings.
