Molly Katanga won’t Interfere with witnesses—lawyer

KAMPALA - Defence lawyers have requested court to release Molly Katanga on bail, arguing that she will not interfere with witnesses, since the trial is now at an advanced stage. This marks Molly's third bail application.

Molly, 56, is accused of killing her husband, businessman Henry Katanga, a charge she has denied.

She is facing trial alongside her daughters: Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as domestic worker George Amanyire and nursing officer Charles Otai. Molly’s co-accused are battling charges of destroying evidence and being accessories to the murder.

Today, February 14, 2025, defence lawyers, led by Peter Kabatsi, told the court presided over by Justice Rosette Comfort Kania that Molly remains entitled to the presumption of innocence and bail should be granted to her because the trial has reached an advanced stage. So far, 10 witnesses have testified in the matter.

“The applicant has satisfied all legal requirements for bail. Her continued detention serves no legitimate purpose other than to undermine the constitutional safeguards afforded to every accused person. The right to liberty cannot be surrendered to prosecutorial convenience,” Defence lawyer Elison Karuhanga argued.

He also submitted that the Uganda Prisons Service has acknowledged its inability to provide Molly with adequate medical care.

“Molly’s condition has worsened and she remains untreated,” Karuhanga stated.

On February 12, 2024, health ministry's health services director issued a medical report detailing Molly Katanga's condition, including tissue injury and fibrocystic breast disease with a cystic mass, which the lawyers said has worsened due to Molly’s incarceration at Luzira Prison.

Kabatsi argued that Molly, a businesswoman, poses no flight risk due to her deep roots in Uganda, where she has established her home and livelihood.

“My lord, is Molly expected to flee? What incentive does she have to abandon her co-accused children, her business and her future to live as a fugitive?” Kabatsi asked rhetorically, concluding, “There is none!”

The defence lawyers also presented three sureties in court to stand surety for Molly. They are Maj. Gen. (rtd) Emmanuel Burundi, Dr John Patrick Kabayo and Geoffrey Kamuntu.

“For over a year, this woman has endured the weight of accusation, the hardship of imprisonment, and the indifference of the prosecution. Enough is enough,” Kabatsi stated.

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.