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In the bustling city of Kampala, a high-profile trial has been making headlines for weeks.
The case involves the alleged murder of Henry Katanga, a prominent businessman. Police have charged Katanga’s wife, Molly Katanga, with murder and his daughters, Patricia Kankwanzi and Martha Nkwanzi, with destruction of evidence. George Amanyire, a Chamba boy from Katanga’s family, and Charles Otai, a doctor, have also been charged with complicity.
The trial of the case began on July 9, 2024. So far, the prosecution has made little progress, the trial process has been tortuous and bizarre, the witness testimonies have been contradictory, and the evidence has been questioned.
Witness statements prepared by the prosecution and police lifted the veil on the tragic events of November 2, 2023, which destroyed the family’s reputation when Henry Katanga was found dead at his home – where initial evidence suggested suicide.
Police doctor denies evidence:
On July 9, 2024, the prosecution called its first witness, Dr. Julius Muhwezi, a police officer at Nsambia Police Station.
Dr Julius Muhwezi, testifying in the high-profile Katanga trial, distanced himself from the police forms submitted as evidence.
He told the court that the form had been doctored and did not reflect his true findings.
“I only have part B of the form. I did not sign the first half,” Dr Mwezi said, claiming that the signature and seal on the second half had been altered. “My signature was changed. What looks like item 13 is not mine.”
Defense attorney Elison Karuhanga argued that Dr. Mwezi did not examine the suspects and that the form was forged. Dr. Mwezi denied this, saying: “I swore that I examined these people. But the signature and seal on the form are not mine.”
Another officer changed his statement in court:
The prosecution then called another officer from the Bugrobie Police Department, Peter Owan, who testified that he was called to the crime scene and found a handgun and other evidence.
Owang testified that he received a call from Dr. Otay informing him that someone had shot himself at the scene.
He also said Patricia, who was present at the time, wanted the incident reported as an accident.
However, under cross-examination by defence lawyer Kabega, Owang refuted his earlier statement, saying he did not record Patricia’s statement about reporting the incident as an accident in his initial statement.
Kabega pressed Owang to explain the discrepancy and the witness admitted that he might have forgotten to record some details.
Defense attorneys then pointed out that Owang’s statement two days after the incident omitted key information, including whether Martha was present.
Defence lawyer MacDosman Kabega cross-examined the two witnesses, highlighting inconsistencies in their testimonies.
Katanga nephew severely criticized for lying:
On July 10, 2024, the prosecution summoned Timothy Nyangweso, a presenter of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and pastor of the Watoto Church. Nyangweso testified that he had called the deceased’s daughter, Martha, on November 2, 2023, and Martha told him that the deceased had died. However, the call data list presented by the defense lawyer showed that there was no call record of Nyangweso.
Evidence shows that the daughter called the police:
Superintendent of Police Musaid Samuel of Jinja Road Police Station also testified that he received a call from the deceased’s friend Patricia Kakwanza informing him of the suicide. He found a pistol, shell casings, live ammunition and blood stains in the room but did not see the accused Molly Katanga at the scene.
The trial will continue on Friday, July 12, and the prosecution is expected to call more witnesses to testify.
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