The Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court wants Martha Nkwanzi on suspicion of tampering with evidence in the death of her father, businessman Henry Katanga, more than two months ago.
Following a successful application by the Prosecution, led by State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, Magistrate Erias Kakooza issued this warrant.
The accused are Amanyire George, a 30-year-old shamba boy, Patricia Kakwanza, the deceased’s 31-year-old daughter, Nkwanzi, who is accused of destroying evidence, and Otai Charles, a health worker, who is accused of accessory to murder.
Molly Katanga, the widow, has not yet been charged. Nkwanzi’s criminal summons has been pushed out until January 22, 2024.
According to the prosecution, Henry Katanga was shot and killed on November 2, 2023, at Mbuya Chwa 2 Road, Nakawa Division, Kampala Capital City, reportedly by his 55-year-old wife, Molly Katanga.
According to reports, Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi tampered with the evidence at the crime scene to make it untraceable for legal purposes.
It is believed that Amanyire and Otai helped other criminals.
Only three of the defendants were in court on Monday; Nkwanzi and her mother were reportedly hospitalized for different ailments.
The prosecution asked for an extension of Molly Katanga’s criminal summons and an arrest order for Martha, citing her frequent non-appearance in court.
According to the defense team, which included attorneys Bruce Musinguzi and Jet Tumwebaze in addition to MacDusman Kabega, Martha Nkwanzi is recovering at Roswell Hospital after giving birth.
They gave the CID Director a letter from IHK Hospital confirming Molly Katanga’s scalp psoriasis operation and providing an explanation for her extended hospital stay.
Muwaganya disputed the facts given, calling them hearsay, and insisted that Martha Nkwanzi needed an arrest order.
“However, that someone visited a hospital one month prior for her headache and stomach aches, among other issues, is insufficient justification today in January to justify the disobedience,” Muwaganya argued.
In agreement, Magistrate Kakooza issued Martha’s arrest warrant. Kakooza postponed deciding the remanded trio’s bail because of the High Court’s file revision.
He clarified that following the DPP’s complaints regarding Nakawa Court’s handling of the bail hearing for three accused people who are already in detention, the High Court requested a file review.
Their charge sheet is identical to that of persons accused of capital crimes, necessitating the jurisdiction of the High Court for bail proceedings.
The matter is postponed until January 22, 2024, to be discussed further.
Mwesigwa Rukutana, the former deputy attorney general, spoke up for justice by attending the proceedings on behalf of the victim’s family.
The families of the accused and the victim both have close ties to powerful political people, which calls into question the fairness of the legal system in this particular instance.
