Technology fails Katanga murder trial

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KAMPALA - A technological glitch made it impossible for the businessman Henry Katanga’s murder trial to continue today, August 20, 2024.

Molly Katanga’s virtual participation in the trial from Luzira Women's Prison was disrupted due to poor internet connectivity, making it impossible for her to follow the proceedings at the High Court in Kampala.

Dr. Richard Ambayo, a police pathologist who performed the post-mortem examination on the late Katanga, had taken the witness stand and was about to testify when the technological glitch occurred.

This prompted High Court judge Isaac Muwata to adjourn the case to tomorrow (Tuesday) for hearing.

Molly, who is accused of killing her husband Katanga, is facing trial together with her daughters: Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as domestic worker George Amanyire and Charles Otai, a nursing officer.

Molly is battling murder charges, while her daughters and the two men are accused of being accessories after the fact to murder and destroying evidence in connection with the case.

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.

In the last court session (July 15, 2024), the deceased’s lawyer Ronald Mugabe Ruranga told the court how he was supposed to meet Katanga to draft a Will, two days prior to his death.

“As a client, Katanga would give me instructions. He was a moneylender and I would draft all his agreements including, sales contracts. I would also effect transfers for some of his land titles,” the lawyer earlier stated.

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 (IHK) 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 shows that on November 1, 2023, Katanga and Molly had dinner together and retired to their bedroom but the following morning, a house help (Amanyire) heard a strange noise coming from the couple’s bedroom and he immediately alerted the 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 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.

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.