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Luzira Prison's medical officers have failed to handle Molly Katanga’s illness, court heard Monday, May 6, 2024.

Molly is accused of killing her husband, Henry Katanga, a renowned businessman, who succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained on his head on November 2, 2023, at their residence on Chwa II Road in Mbuya.

👉Court issues arrest warrant against Molly Katanga

Molly Katanga with her late husband Henry Katanga. (File)

This claim comes after a failed bid by Molly to secure bail on grounds that her medical report was not certified by medical officers of Uganda Prisons Service showing that her illness cannot be treated while in custody.

Defence lawyers led by Peter Kabatsi asked the court presided over by Isaac Muwata that on April 15, 2024, the Prisons medical officers carried out an examination on Molly and found that her illness can not be handled by Uganda Prisons Service.

Other defence lawyers include MacDosman Kabega, Jet Tumwebaze, Bruce Musinguzi and Elison Karuhanga.

According to the defence lawyers, the physical examination of Molly revealed that she had multiple cystic masses in her left breast upper outer quadrant and she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, vertigo, resolving tissue injury, and breast fibrocystic disease.

In a bid to treat the ailment, the lawyers say that doctors from Mulago Hospital recommended that Molly receive trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, continue with anti-hypertensive and BP monitoring, follow up with an ENT surgeon for the paranasal sinusitis, vertigo, and monitoring of her breast symptoms.

“Molly has proved exceptional circumstances based on her medical report from Uganda Prisons to warrant the grant of bail,” Kabatsi submitted.

The lawyers also argued that Molly will not abscond court because she has a fixed place of abode and substantial sureties. The sureties include John Patrick Kabayo, Geoffrey Kamuntu, Maj. Gen Emmauel Burundi Nyamunywanisa and Margaret Mugisa Muhanga.

The judge directed Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka to file a response to Molly’s submission by May 13, 2024, and serve the defence lawyers. In the event of a rejoinder by the defence lawyers, it must be filed by May 16 this year.

The judge will deliver on the matter on May 21, 2024.

Molly Katanga is accused of killing her husband, while her two daughters, Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, are accused of destroying evidence.

👉Katanga murder: Four commited to High Court for trial

Patricia Kakwanza, one of the daughters to Henry and Molly Katanga. (File)

Martha Nkanzi (c) one of the Katanga daughters. (File)

George Amanyire, and domestic worker and Charles Otai a nursing officer are the other suspects charged in the Katanga Murder case. (File) 

The daughters face the charge together with George Amanyire and Charles Otai.