Archival Sense
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- Dec 16, 2025
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A 45-year-old Pentecostal pastor has been committed to the High Court for trial over allegations that he sexually assaulted a 21-year-old male barber in Kampala.
The decision was made by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, where Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe committed Bishop Reuben Turyasingura of Serenity Foundation Ministries to stand trial at the next convenient criminal session of the High Court. Turyasingura is also a student at Cavendish University Uganda.
Chief State Attorney Joan Keko told the court that although the case could be handled by a magistrate’s court, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has discretion under the law to refer such cases to the High Court. She cited Section 169 of the Magistrates Courts Act, stating that the offence is prevalent and therefore suitable for trial before the High Court.
According to the prosecution, the alleged victim is a 21-year-old barber who lives in Kikulu Zone in Kawempe Division, Kampala. Court documents state that the victim met the accused while working at a salon in the area where Turyasingura frequently visited for services such as massage, scrubbing and shaving.
Prosecutors say the two later developed a friendship and the pastor convinced the barber to start providing salon services at his residence in Kikulu Zone, offering him better pay than what he earned at the salon.
The alleged incident is said to have occurred on December 28, 2025. Prosecutors claim that Turyasingura contacted the barber and asked him to escort him home after returning from his village in Rukiga District. The two reportedly met at Kitaka Stage in Kawempe Division around midnight and went to the pastor’s residence, where they found a shamba boy identified as Brian Mwesigwa.
According to the prosecution, the two entered the pastor’s bedroom where tea was served. It is alleged that the pastor later asked the barber to become his sexual partner and promised to give him Shs20 million, an offer the victim declined.
Prosecutors claim that after the refusal, the accused forcefully grabbed the barber and performed a sexual act on him. The victim allegedly did not immediately raise an alarm because he feared embarrassment due to being known in the area.
Court documents indicate that the barber later managed to leave the house when the shamba boy opened the door while going to clean the residence. The victim reportedly stayed away from work the following day, prompting a friend, Baker Asiimwe, to check on him. After hearing the account, the two reported the matter to Kikaya Police Station before it was later transferred to Kira Road Police Station for further investigations.
A medical examination report, known as PF3A, allegedly indicated that the victim had waist and back pain, as well as bruises and lacerations inside the anus. Investigators also reportedly recovered several items from the scene including a bottle of olive oil containing a yellow liquid, a blue towel with white stripes and mobile phones.
Prosecutors say they will rely on several exhibits during trial, including medical reports of both the accused and the victim, search certificates dated December 30 and December 31, 2025, a sketch plan of the crime scene and an exhibit slip.
Medical examination of the accused reportedly found him to be a 45-year-old adult of sound mind who is HIV positive.
Turyasingura is charged with homosexuality contrary to Sections 2(1) and (2) of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Prosecutors told the court they will argue that the accused had no lawful excuse for his actions and will seek a conviction during the High Court trial.
(photo courtesy of NTV uganda)
Pastor Turyasingura
The decision was made by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, where Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe committed Bishop Reuben Turyasingura of Serenity Foundation Ministries to stand trial at the next convenient criminal session of the High Court. Turyasingura is also a student at Cavendish University Uganda.
Chief State Attorney Joan Keko told the court that although the case could be handled by a magistrate’s court, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has discretion under the law to refer such cases to the High Court. She cited Section 169 of the Magistrates Courts Act, stating that the offence is prevalent and therefore suitable for trial before the High Court.
According to the prosecution, the alleged victim is a 21-year-old barber who lives in Kikulu Zone in Kawempe Division, Kampala. Court documents state that the victim met the accused while working at a salon in the area where Turyasingura frequently visited for services such as massage, scrubbing and shaving.
Prosecutors say the two later developed a friendship and the pastor convinced the barber to start providing salon services at his residence in Kikulu Zone, offering him better pay than what he earned at the salon.
The alleged incident is said to have occurred on December 28, 2025. Prosecutors claim that Turyasingura contacted the barber and asked him to escort him home after returning from his village in Rukiga District. The two reportedly met at Kitaka Stage in Kawempe Division around midnight and went to the pastor’s residence, where they found a shamba boy identified as Brian Mwesigwa.
According to the prosecution, the two entered the pastor’s bedroom where tea was served. It is alleged that the pastor later asked the barber to become his sexual partner and promised to give him Shs20 million, an offer the victim declined.
Prosecutors claim that after the refusal, the accused forcefully grabbed the barber and performed a sexual act on him. The victim allegedly did not immediately raise an alarm because he feared embarrassment due to being known in the area.
Court documents indicate that the barber later managed to leave the house when the shamba boy opened the door while going to clean the residence. The victim reportedly stayed away from work the following day, prompting a friend, Baker Asiimwe, to check on him. After hearing the account, the two reported the matter to Kikaya Police Station before it was later transferred to Kira Road Police Station for further investigations.
A medical examination report, known as PF3A, allegedly indicated that the victim had waist and back pain, as well as bruises and lacerations inside the anus. Investigators also reportedly recovered several items from the scene including a bottle of olive oil containing a yellow liquid, a blue towel with white stripes and mobile phones.
Prosecutors say they will rely on several exhibits during trial, including medical reports of both the accused and the victim, search certificates dated December 30 and December 31, 2025, a sketch plan of the crime scene and an exhibit slip.
Medical examination of the accused reportedly found him to be a 45-year-old adult of sound mind who is HIV positive.
Turyasingura is charged with homosexuality contrary to Sections 2(1) and (2) of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Prosecutors told the court they will argue that the accused had no lawful excuse for his actions and will seek a conviction during the High Court trial.
(photo courtesy of NTV uganda)
