Katanga murder trial resumes

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The hearing of a case in which Molly Katanga is accused of killing her husband, businessman Henry Katanga, resumes today, October 1, 2024, at the High Court in Kampala.

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 an accessory after the fact to murder.

The case is before Justice Isaac Muwata. Assistant director of Public Prosecutions Samali Wakooli and chief state attorneys; Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza are prosecuting the matter.

The defence team consists of Peter Kabatsi, MacDosman Kabega, Jet Tumwebaze, Bruce Musinguzi and Elison Karuhanga. Meanwhile, renowned lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana is monitoring the proceedings on behalf of the deceased's family.

The death

Henry Katanga, a renowned businessman, succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained on his head on November 2, 2023, at their residence at 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 Ministry of Health.

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.

Consequently, they telephoned Nkwanzi and Kakwanza to come but before they arrived, the workers allegedly heard a loud blast and immediately the noise in the bedroom stopped.

Shortly, Nkwanzi and Kakwanza reportedly showed up and Kakwanza went directly to the bedroom where she found Katanga lying in a pool of blood.

Later, Molly was purportedly assisted by Amanyire to move downstairs and Kakwanza drove Molly to Bugolobi Medical Centre and later IHK.

According to the indictment, Katanga succumbed to gunshot injuries discharged by his pistol number UG1622200061CZ99 compact.