Katanga murder trial flops over assessors' absence
“It is a mandatory requirement for the assessors to be present before the criminal trial can proceed,” Ngobi said.
Molly Katanga's case hearing flopped over the absence of assessors. (File photo/New Vision)
By Barbra Kabahumuza and Michael Odeng
Journalists @New Vision
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The hearing of a case in which Molly Katanga is accused of killing her husband, businessman Henry Katanga, today, March 10, 2025, flopped over the absence of assessors.
Court assessors are usually non-lawyers who sit together with a judge or judges to advise the court in the assessment of cases. However, the assessor’s opinion is not binding to the judge.
The absence of court assessors prompted assistant registrar, Salam Ngobi, of the Criminal Division of the High Court to adjourn the case to tomorrow (Tuesday) for hearing. He adjourned the case on behalf of Justice Rosette Comfort Kania.
“It is a mandatory requirement for the assessors to be present before the criminal trial can proceed,” he said.
Molly is facing trial together with her daughters: Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as domestic worker, George Amanyire, and nursing officer, Charles Otai, who are accused of destroying evidence and being accessories to murder.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Samali Wakooli, and Chief State Attorneys: Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza are prosecuting the matter, while the defence team consists of Peter Kabatsi, MacDosman Kabega, Jet Tumwebaze, Bruce Musinguzi and Elison Karuhanga.
Background
Henry Katanga, a renowned businessman, succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained on his head on November 2, 2023, at their residence along Mbuya Chwa II Road in Kampala.
On the same day, Molly Katanga was admitted to C-Care IHK (formerly International Hospital Kampala) with multiple fractures on her upper limbs, various head injuries and in a state of hypovolemic shock, according to a report issued by specialists appointed by the health ministry.
Hypovolemic shock is an emergency condition in which severe blood or other fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body.
The indictment reveals that on November 1, 2023, Katanga and Molly had dinner together and then retired to their bedroom. However, the following morning, a house help (Amanyire) heard a strange noise emanating from the couple's bedroom and immediately alerted the other people at home.
It is said that the workers moved closer to the bedroom to ascertain what could be happening and that they allegedly heard a struggle inside the bedroom, which they suspected could have been a fight.
According to the indictment, Katanga succumbed to gunshot injuries discharged by his pistol number UG1622200061CZ99 compact.