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High Court judge Isaac Muwata on Tuesday denied bail to Molly Katanga, who is charged with the murder of her husband, Henry Katanga.

The judge said since the matter has been fixed for hearing, it is in interest of justice that her bail is denied. 

The judge relied on a case of Uganda versus Francis Onebe.

Molly Katanga has been on remand since January 24, 2024 when she was charged with the offence.

Last Wednesday, Katanga's bail application was heard under tight security after a group of people donning black T-shirts with the accused's portrait attempted to raid the courtroom in protest against the hearing of her bail application. 

👉 Molly Katanga, accused of killing husband, to learn bail fate on April 9

Peter Kabatsi, MacDosman Kabega, Elison Karuhanga, John Jet Tumwebaze, and Bruce Musinguzi asked the court to release the accused on bail pending trial.

They submitted that she is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence and has substantial sureties to ensure her attendance in court whenever required if released on bail.

The sureties presented were John Patrick Kaboyo, Geoffrey Kamuntu, Maj. Gen (rtd) Emmanuel Nyamunywanisa and Margaret Mugisa Muhanga.

On the other hand, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Samali Wakooli, who teamed up with chief state attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza, asked the court to dismiss the bail application.

Citing the case of Uganda versus Francis Onebe, Wakooli said releasing Molly on bail is against the interests of justice.

In regard to the sureties, the prosecution asked the court to find Kaboyo and Nyamunywanisa not substantial sureties because they are of extreme advanced age (75) who should not be burdened with court processes.

In regard to Kamuntu, Muwaganya said he is not fit because he is under investigation over obstruction of justice.

Despite sustaining grave injuries on her head, the 55-year-old Molly has been on remand since February. Molly appeared in court via Zoom technology. She wore a bandage on her head.

Katanga, a renowned businessman succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained on the left side of his head after an alleged verbal exchange with his wife (Molly) on November 2, 2023, at their residence at Mbuya Chwa II Road.

Henry Katanga and his wife Molly Katanga. (File Photo)

Prosecution alleges that on November 2, 2023, at Mbuya Chwa II Road in Nakawa division, Kampala city with malice aforethought, Molly killed her husband in cold blood.

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

An examination of the killer pistol found that Molly’s Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was the most predominant on the trigger.

The pistol was also found to be in good working condition capable of discharging live rounds of ammunition and the cartridge that was found at the scene was discharged by the said pistol.

Also, swabs picked from Molly’s hands were found to be positive for gunpowder residue.

On examination of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, the indictment indicates that it had been tampered with but the indictment says the same will be relied upon during trial.
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