Katanga trial! Defense lawyer tears up pathologist’s testimony

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KAMPALA – The Katanga murder trial resumed on Thursday morning, August 22, with further cross-examination of the pathologist who examined the body of the deceased, Dr Richard Ambayo.

Defence lawyers led by Elson Karuhanga insisted that the gunshot wound was on the right side of Henry Katanga’s head, contradicting the testimony of Dr. Ambayo who said it was on the left side.

The seventh prosecution witness, Dr Richard Ambayo, is a pathologist at the Mulago National Referral Hospital City Mortuary.

Dr. Ambayo also works with the Uganda Police Medical Unit and has been doing so since 2021. He told the High Court that on November 2, 2023, the Mulago Municipal Mortuary received a request from the Buglobi Police Station to examine the body of the late Henry Katanga.

Dr. Ambayo testified that he and another pathologist, Dr. Male Mutumba, performed an autopsy on Katanga’s body, which was already cold and stiff.

The body, which had scars from old surgeries on its buttocks and legs, was identified by Katanga’s daughter, Martha Nkwanzi.

Examination revealed a bullet entry site on the left side of the head, resulting in a skull fracture and exit near the right ear.

In their autopsy report, Dr. Ambayo and Dr. Mutumba concluded that Katanga died of a gunshot wound to the head and was shot at close range. However, no bullet or fragments were found in the body.

Dr. Ambayo took autopsy photographs which were exhibited in court and submitted as evidence for the prosecution.

Widow Molly Katanga and her two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza, are facing trial for the murder of their breadwinner and the destruction of vital evidence. They are jointly charged with George Amaniye, a Sabah boy in the family, and Dr. Charles Otay of Bugrobee Medical Center, who are accused of being accomplices in helping the widow escape punishment after the murder.

The offence took place on November 2, 2023 at Chwa 11 Road, Mbuya-Nakawa District. The accused denied the charges and Justice Isaac Muwata presided over the trial.