The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued Criminal Summons to Molly Katanga and her Daughter Martha Nkwanzi to face trial for the murder of her husband and businessman Henry Katanga .
This is after Molly and Nkwazi failed to appear in court on reports that they are admitted in HIK and Roswell Hospitals respectively.
The 2 sent a team of lawyers including Elison Karuhanga , Jet Tumwebaze and Bruce Musinguzi to inform the court that Molly Katanga is advised to be kept under a Doctor’s watch due to severe head and brain injuries and a hand fracture she suffered.
The lawyers have then presented a letter and still pictures explaining that Molly was operated upon for those injuries and not yet stable to attend court.
The daughter Martha Nkwanzi has just given birth and suffers from post partum effects for which Doctors at Roswell hospital recommended that she too needs close supervision.
The lawyers however promised to bring Molly and Nkwazi as soon as they get well.
Basing on the above explanation, presiding chief magistrate Elias Kakooza has declined to issue an arrest warrant as asked by the ODPP against the duo and instead criminal summons requiring the two to appear on the 8th/ January 2024.
In a fully packed court room, Katanga’s relatives wore T-shirts and held placards demanding for justice for their murdered relative.
According to the DPP, Molly Katanga is wanted for the murder of her husband Henry Katanga while her daughter Martha Nkwazi is to answer charges of Destroying evidence .
Prosecution led by Mariam Kuruthum has informed court that investigations into the murder of Katanga are still on-going .
However the same court has refused to hear a bail application by the three suspects who were earlier charged with the death of Henry Katanga and advised them to apply in the Highcourt which is seized with jurisdiction to handle capital offenses .
The three suspects include The deceased’s 31 year old daughter Kakwanza Patricia who is charged with Destroying evidence, 30 year old Amanyire George; a shamba boy of the Katanga home and Otai Charles ; a health worker who are on charges of Accessory after the fact of murder .
Prosecution contends that Henry Katanga was shot dead on 2nd/November/2023 at Mbuya Chwa 2 road, Nakawa Division- Kampala Capital City by his 55 year old wife Molly Katanga .
While her daughter’s Nkwanzi Martha Katanga ; a student residing at Mbuya and Kakwanza Patricia, a Business woman residing at Mbuya knowing that diverse things at the scene of crime may be required in evidence in a judicial proceeding, removed or destroyed them and thus rendered them illigible for identification.
Prosecution further states that Amanyire George , and Otai Charles ; a Nursing Officer of Kireka ‘B’ Cell Kira Municipality in Wakiso District, received or assisted other people who were to their knowledge liable of an offence, in order to enable them escape purnishment.
Meanwhile , Henry Katanga’s mother Millien Kyobuhoro and his uncles have also hired the former Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukuntana to follow the trial on their behalf ; something that has not sunk in well with the Defence team.
Report by: Betty Zziwa
