'Molly Katanga has case to answer in husband's murder'

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The High Court in Kampala has ruled that Molly Katanga has a case to answer in the murder of her husband, businessman Henry Katanga.

Justice Rosette Comfort Kania of the Criminal Division of the High Court on Thursday, February 26, 2026, ruled that Molly and her co-accused should present their defence on the matter.

"I find that each of the accused have a case to answer in the respective counts and I hereby put each of them to their defence," she ruled.

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 after the fact to murder.

The judge explained that the accused have the option to give sworn evidence, in which case the accused may be cross-examined by the prosecution and may also call witnesses in support of their defence.

She also said they can exercise their constitutional right to give unsworn evidence or to remain silent.

Enough evidence

Having considered the submissions of both the prosecution and defence team and the evidence on record, the judge said the prosecution has succeeded in adducing evidence in all the essential ingredients of the offence, warranting each accused person to be put to their defence.

The prosecution produced 25 witnesses to testify against the accused persons.

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.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Samali Wakooli and Chief State Attorneys, Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza, are prosecuting the matter.

Henry Katanga, a renowned businessman, succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained on his head on November 2, 2023, at their residence at Mbuya along Chwa II Road in Kampala.

The case has been adjourned to March 26, this year, for defence hearing.

Background

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 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.

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 inflicted by his pistol number UG1622200061CZ99 compact.