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KAMPALA – The case of high-profile Molly Katanga, accused of murdering her husband Henry Katanga, will resume at the Kampala High Court today, Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Molly is on trial alongside her daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as domestic worker George Amanyire and paramedic Charles Otai, who are accused of destroying evidence and being complicit in the murder.
On July 15, 2024, the court adjourned due to conflicting witness testimonies and the trial has been suspended since then. At that time, the prosecution had called a sixth witness, but due to conflicting testimonies, the court suspended the trial for a month because the key witness, Naome Nyangweso, the sister of the late Henry Katanga, unexpectedly claimed that she had forgotten how to speak English, although she had written and signed three statements in English.
This makes the case more complicated as the court must now find an interpreter who is fluent in her native language, Runyankole, to facilitate her testimony.
Another key witness was Ronald Rulanga, Mugabe’s former lawyer, who claimed to be a lawyer and businessman but was revealed to have no certificate to practice law. Rulanga’s qualifications were questioned during cross-examination and he was unable to produce any documents to prove that he was a practicing lawyer.
The trial process became complicated and the credibility of the prosecution’s key witnesses was questioned.
Renowned lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana oversaw the entire trial on behalf of the deceased’s family.
Justice Isaac Muwata presided over the case, with Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Samali Wakooli, Chief State Attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza leading the prosecution team.
The defence team consisted of Peter Kabatsi, MacDosman Kabega, Jet Tumwebaze, Bruce Musinguzi and Elison Karuhanga.
On November 2, 2023, Henry Katanga, a well-known businessman, died of a gunshot wound to the head at his residence on Mbuya Chwa II Road in Kampala. On the same day, his wife, Molly Katanga, was rushed to C-Care IHK Hospital with serious injuries, including multiple fractures, head trauma and hypovolemic shock, according to a report by experts appointed by the Ministry of Health. Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition caused by insufficient blood circulation due to massive blood or fluid loss.
According to the indictment, on November 1, 2023, the couple returned to their bedroom after having dinner together. The next morning, a domestic worker, George Amanyire, heard unusual noises coming from the bedroom and alerted the rest of the family. When they approached the room, they allegedly heard sounds of fighting and suspected a fight.
After calling Molly’s daughters Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza, they heard a loud noise and then the noise stopped. Upon arrival, Nkwanzi and Kakwanza found Katanga lying in a pool of blood. Amaniya helped Molly downstairs and Kakwanza drove her to Bugrobie Medical Center and then to IHK.
The indictment stated that Katanga died from a gunshot wound from the pistol he was holding. The pistol number was UG1622200061CZ99. Upon inspection, the pistol was in good condition and could fire live ammunition. The bullets at the scene were confirmed to have been fired from the same pistol.
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