Ms. Molly Katanga, the widow and primary suspect in the high-profile murder case of businessman Henry Katanga, has firmly denied killing her husband.
On July 2, confined to a wheelchair, Ms Katanga appeared before the High Court in Kampala to enter her plea. When asked about the murder charge, she softly replied, “Not guilty.”
Co-Accused Plead Not Guilty
Ms. Katanga’s co-accused, daughters Ms. Martha Nkwanzi Katanga and Ms. Patricia Kakwanza, who face lesser charges of destroying evidence, also pleaded not guilty.
Additional Defendants Deny Charges
During the packed mid-morning court session, presided over by Justice Isaac Muwata, other defendants—Otai Charles, a medic who allegedly arrived at Katanga’s Mbuya residence shortly after the shooting, and George Amanyire, a shamba boy—denied being accessories after the fact of murder.
Attempt to Amend Charges
The session ended prematurely when Assistant DPP Samali Wakoli, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), sought to amend the charge sheet.
The proposed amendments aimed to charge Katanga’s daughters not only with destroying evidence but also with being accessories after the fact of murder.
Additionally, the DPP sought to charge Mr. Amanyire and Mr. Otai with destroying evidence.
Ms. Wakoli argued that the amendments would not cause injustice to the accused. “My lord, Section 50, subsection 2 of the Trial of Indictments Act (TIA) allows this court to order alterations to a defective indictment at any stage.
The merits of this case require such an amendment,” she stated.
Defense Objections
However, the defense, led by Mr. Peter Kabatsi from Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), objected.
“The prosecution is misleading the court by suggesting charges can be amended at any time, even introducing charges against individuals who have not been involved in the trial. That causes injustice and prejudice,” Mr. Kabatsi argued.
Another defense lawyer, Mr. Bruce Musinguzi from KAA, contended that the law does not allow the DPP to bring fresh charges at the High Court after the accused have been committed for trial on specific charges.
“My lord, as my senior colleague stated, introducing new charges at this stage would be wrong,” he submitted.
Request for Clarification
Renowned criminal lawyer MacDosman Kabega also requested the court to amend the charge sheet to specify the items allegedly destroyed by the Katanga daughters.
“My lord, the second count is defective as it does not disclose what was destroyed. We need this information to prepare our client’s defense,” he argued.
Judge’s Ruling Pending
After hearing both sides, Justice Muwata stated he would deliver his ruling the following day at 10 am.
Case Background
The prosecution claims that on November 2, 2023, in Mbuya, Chwa 2, Nakawa Division, Ms. Katanga, with malice aforethought, shot and killed her husband using a pistol, a charge she denies.
On that fateful day, Molly was found in a pool of blood and rushed to the hospital.
