In a heavily guarded court proceeding, Molly Katanga, accused of murdering her husband Henry Katanga, faced charges at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court today. The 55-year-old woman was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair, escorted by armed Counter Terrorism police.
Katanga, clad in a long purple tie and die African print, with her head and hands bandaged and face partially covered by a mask, listened to the charges brought against her. The court heard that Molly Katanga allegedly shot her husband dead with a pistol on November 2nd, 2023, at their home in Mbuya Chwa two road, Nakawa Division, Kampala Capital City.
Given the court's lack of jurisdiction, the Prosecution led by Jonathan Muwaganya informed the court that investigations were complete, requesting Katanga to be committed to the High Court for trial.
Molly Katanga had been a fugitive since early November 2023 when an arrest warrant was issued against her. Her defense lawyers, led by Peter Kabatsi, requested continued medical attention for Katanga, citing five consecutive injuries. They also sought access to the accused's home, which has been cordoned off since the incident.
On the issue of the residence, the Prosecution claimed ignorance of the security arrangements at the scene of the crime, mentioning military presence. The defense argued for administrative handling, and the court ruled in favor of allowing family access to the home.
Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza directed prison officers to ensure medical access for Molly Katanga and ruled for her remand at Luzira Prison until the High Court is ready for the trial.
In a related development, the High Court Criminal Division Judge Isaac Muwata set a bail hearing date for Molly's co-accused persons. Molly, along with her daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, faces charges of murder and destroying evidence, respectively. A shamba boy, Amanyire George, and a health worker, Charles Otai, are accused of being accessories to murder.
The Prosecution alleges that Molly and the deceased had dinner together on November 1st, 2023, and Molly was the only one found in their bedroom the next day, where a gunshot had been heard. The daughters allegedly tampered with evidence, and the accessories helped cover up the crime. The Prosecution plans to present postmortem reports, forensic analyses, phone printouts, and scene-of-crime reports as evidence in court.
If found guilty, the accused could face the highest punishment for murder - death. The trial is set to commence at the High Court, with further developments expected during the bail hearing for Molly's co-accused persons.
