Kyazze Quizzed over Sodomy Allegations, The New Vision, June 2, 2009

Kyazze Quizzed over Sodomy Allegations

The New Vision
June 2, 2009

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/683410

Kyazze talks to a Police officer at Kampala Central Police Station yesterday

PASTOR Michael Kyazze of the Omega Healing Centre in Kampala was yesterday interrogated over sodomy allegations against Pastor Robert Kayanja, report Herbert Ssempogo and Umaru Kashaka.

Kyazze arrived at the Kampala Central Police Station before 10:00am where journalists, who awaited his arrival, mobbed him.

“I was summoned to give my statement. I am glad I have come to the Central Police Station instead of Kibuli,” he said. Kibuli is where the Criminal Investigation Directorate is located.

“I am glad to be back to speak for the voiceless. I am glad that President Yoweri Museveni intervened to bring soberness to the case. The case now seems to be on the right course.”

He, however, expressed concern that one of the complainants, Samson Mukisa was held “incommunicado”.

Mukisa is among six boys who claimed to have been sodomised by Kayanja, the Pastor of Rubaga Miracle Centre.

Kyazze had initially given the boy refuge at his church in Namasuba, a Kampala suburb. After he retracted his statement and declared that he had been paid to make the allegations, Mukisa asked for Police protection.

Kyazze told the journalists that they were concerned about the whereabouts of Herbert Tumukunde, a 17-year-old boy who allegedly claimed he had a video-recording related to the sodomy accusations.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Andrew Kasirye, Kyazze spent seven hours during which he recorded a statement. He narrated to the detectives how he learnt of the alleged victims’ plight, Kasirye explained as they left the Police station at 5:00pm.

Kyazze also reportedly answered questions about his connection with the six accusers and whether he bribed them. He described the detective as “friendly”.

Kyazze’s colleague, Felix Ssemujju, will report to the same station tomorrow to record a statement. Kyazze was accompanied by pastors Solomon Male and Martin Ssempa.

In a related development, Kasirye has petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission over the manner in which the Police conducted the sodomy probe.

“The manner in which the Directorate of Criminal Investigation has conducted the sodomy investigations reported against Kayanja raises serious questions about the respect of the rule of law and constitutional governance,” Kasirye said in the letter.

“The allegations Samson Mukisa made against the Police regarding use of force are serious and are a matter of public interest. An impartial and independent inquiry should be conducted to establish the truth about what happened on May 15.”

Kasirye also complained to the Commission that he did now know of his client’s whereabouts since he was detained on May 19.

The New Vision yesterday learnt that two of the alleged victims, James Ntwatwa and Brian Akansiimwe, were subjected to a medical examination as part of the probe. It was not clear if it was the Police surgeon who carried out the examination. The Police, sources disclosed, have opened a separate file for each of the complainants.