Katanga murder trial resumes Monday
On February 21, 2025, Justice Rosette Comfort Kania of the Criminal Division of the High Court denied Molly bail but pledged a faster hearing when the case resumes.
Molly Katanga during a court session. (File photo)
Michael Odeng
Journalist @New Vision
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The hearing of a case in which Molly Katanga is accused of killing her husband, businessman Henry Katanga, resumes on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the High Court in Kampala.
Molly is facing trial together with her daughters, Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as George Amanyire, a domestic worker, and Charles Otai, a nursing officer, who are accused of destroying evidence and being accessories to murder.
On February 21, 2025, Justice Rosette Comfort Kania of the Criminal Division of the High Court denied Molly bail but pledged a faster hearing when the case resumes. That marked Molly’s third attempt at securing bail.
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.
Meanwhile, renowned lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana is monitoring the proceedings on behalf of the deceased's family.
Background
Henry Katanga, a renowned businessman, succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained to 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 was 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.