Ugandan Pastor Faces High Court Trial for Allegedly ‘Raping’ Male Barber

A court in Kampala has committed Pentecostal pastor Reuben to the High Court for trial following allegations involving a 21-year-old barber in a case that prosecutors say falls under Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act. The decision was issued by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court after reviewing submissions from the prosecution.

Turyasingura, 45, who leads Serenity Foundation Ministries and is also reported to be a student at Cavendish University Uganda, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neube on Tuesday. During the proceedings, the court ruled that the case would proceed to the High Court at the next available criminal session.

Chief State Attorney Joan Keko told the court that while the matter could ordinarily be handled at the magistrate’s court level, the Director of Public Prosecutions has legal authority to refer the case to the High Court. She cited Section 169 of the Magistrates Courts Act, which grants the DPP discretion to escalate certain cases.

According to Keko, the decision to refer the matter to the High Court was made because of the seriousness of the allegations and the wider concern about similar offences.

Prosecution identified the complainant as a 21-year-old barber who lives in Kikulu Zone in Kawempe Division, Kampala. Court records state that the victim first met the accused while working at a salon in the same area. Turyasingura was reportedly a regular customer who visited for services including shaving, scrubbing, and massage.

Prosecutors say the repeated visits led to a friendship between the two men. The accused allegedly later persuaded the barber to begin providing services directly at his residence rather than at the salon, reportedly offering higher payments than the barber received at work.

Pastor sent to High Court for trial for allegedly ‘raping’ male barber

Court documents state that on December 28, 2025, Turyasingura allegedly contacted the victim and said he was returning from his village in Rukiga District. He reportedly asked the barber to meet him and escort him to his home after he arrived in Kampala.

The prosecution claims the two met around midnight at Kitaka Stage in Kawempe Division before heading to the accused’s residence in Kikulu Zone. When they arrived, they allegedly found a domestic worker identified as Brian Mwesigwa.

According to the prosecution’s summary, the two men later went to a bedroom where tea was served. Investigators allege that Turyasingura then asked the victim to become his sexual partner and promised him 20 million Ugandan shillings in return. The barber is said to have declined the offer.

Prosecutors claim that after the refusal, the accused forcefully grabbed the victim and performed a sexual act with him. The victim allegedly did not immediately raise an alarm because he feared embarrassment due to being known in the area.

The prosecution further alleges that the barber attempted to leave the room but discovered the door had been locked. Court records indicate that he later managed to leave the residence after Mwesigwa opened the door while going to clean the house.

According to investigators, the barber stayed away from work the following day and appeared distressed. A friend identified as Baker Asiimwe reportedly visited him to find out what had happened. After hearing the account, the two men went to Kikaya Police Station to report the incident.

Police later transferred the case to Kira Road Police Station for further investigations. The prosecution says a medical examination report indicated that the victim had waist and back pain as well as bruises and lacerations.

Investigators also reportedly visited the alleged scene of the incident and collected several items as exhibits. These included a bottle of olive oil containing a yellow liquid, a blue towel with white stripes, and mobile phones.

According to the prosecution, evidence expected to be presented during the trial includes medical reports for both the complainant and the accused, a search certificate, an exhibit certificate, and a sketch plan of the location where the alleged incident occurred.

Prosecutors also stated that the accused was medically examined and confirmed to be a 45-year-old adult of sound mind. They further indicated that he is HIV positive.

Turyasingura is facing a charge of homosexuality under Sections 2(1) and (2) of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act. The prosecution says it will rely on both witness testimony and physical exhibits to support the case when it proceeds to trial in the High Court.

“Whereupon, prosecution shall contend that the accused person had no lawful excuse for his actions and pray that he is convicted as indicted,” the prosecution summary states.