Molly Katanga has been charged by the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court for killing her husband, businessman Henry Katanga.”
Katanga was hauled before the court under intense protection, along with armed counterterrorism police officers.
A female police constable brought her into the courtroom. Her face was partially hidden by a mask, and her wrists and head were bandaged.
Molly Katanga, a police officer wheeling her along, was parked in a hallway amid a fully parked room, her arms and head bandaged in bandages.
She was charged with killing her husband. She was dressed in a long purple tie and die African print.
Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza presided over the court, which heard evidence that on November 2, 2023, at Mbuya Chwa Two Road, Nakawa Division, Kampala Capital City, 55-year-old Molly Katanga killed Henry Katanga with a pistol on purpose.
The charges were only made known to her because the court lacked the authority to try her.
Jonathan Muwaganya, the prosecutor, told the judge that the investigations were finished and requested that she be committed to the High Court so that she might face trial.
Molly Katanga was placed under arrest at the beginning of November 2023.
The prosecution claims that she killed Henry Katanga, her spouse, at their Mbuya, Kampala, marital residence.
Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza issued an arrest warrant for Molly on Monday, as per the request of Jonathan Muwaganya, the prosecutor.
Following their review of the evidence the court plans to use against her, Molly’s attorneys, led by Peter Kabatsi, requested that the court issue an order directing prisons to continue managing the accused in conjunction with the cooperation of the medical professionals who have been caring for her.
According to Kabatsi, Katanga has sustained five injuries in a row, and although she is gradually getting better, she still needs medical care.
Kabatsi further stated that the accused’s family has not had access to their home since the incident and requested permission to reclaim it now that the investigations are over.
Molly Katanga’s attorney, MacDusman Kabega, continued, saying that the area stayed blocked off even after the police had taken all they wanted to from the crime scene.
It’s still a 24-hour cordon-off, he said. Kabega requested that the Police leave the area under court order.
On the other side, the prosecution stated that Muwaganya’s honest opinion is that it is not a straightforward question that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
Muwaganya was asked if he thought security should be given an order about the matters at the crime scene.
He stated that it should be handled in a very proper way. He added that he had not been informed about the existence of any security forces or their purpose for being on the property, nor did he know which security agency was in charge.
He requested more time so that he could speak with the CID Director about the specifics of the crime scene. Muwaganya claims that the key to the married bedroom—the crime scene—belongs to the Directorate of Forensics.
According to Muwaganya, he was told that the military was still keeping watch over the house even though there was not a single police officer or guard present.
“I’ve also been told that the military personnel are protecting the house because the homeowners are the ones who own it. Muwaganya added, “Your Honor, this is very important. I pray that we are on record and that there isn’t a single police officer at the crime scene.”
According to Muwaganya, the residence problem is complicated for him.
He requested that the issue be resolved officially and mentioned that Kabega had already corresponded with the Director of the CID and the Kampala Associated Advocates.
He mentioned that the Director had already spoken with a few defense attorneys and that the situation, with all of its security complexity, is being addressed.
He stated that if this situation cannot be resolved, a substantive application ought to be filed and the court ought not to make an order regarding matters that lack clarity.
The jail guards have been instructed by Magistrate Kakooza to see to it that Molly Katanga’s physicians have access to her while she is incarcerated.
Additionally, he decided that the family members shouldn’t be prevented from entering their house by security, and as a result, Molly Katanga was placed under remand in Luzira Prison until the High Court is prepared to try her.
In addition, High Court Criminal Division Judge Isaac Muwata scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, March 29, 2024, to consider the bail request of Molly’s co-accused individuals.
After a ruling in which the Director of Public Prosecutions successfully contested the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court’s power to hear the pleas of Molly’s co-accused individuals, Justice Muwata set the date for the bail hearing.
Molly and her daughters Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza are accused of murder and evidence destruction, respectively.
A health worker named Charles Otai and a Shamba kid named Amanyire George are also charged with accessory to murder.
The Prosecution claims that on November 2, 2023, Molly fatally shot Henry Katanga.
Nkwanzi and Kakwanzi, the daughters, are charged with altering evidence so that it cannot be recognized in court.
It is believed that Amanyire and Otai helped other criminals.
Molly and the deceased had four children, including the girls at issue in this trial, according to evidence given to the court.
Before he passed away, the deceased expressed worries about his safety because he thought his wife was following him.
He had acquired a new private phone line and changed phone passwords as protection.
On November 1, 2023, the dead and Molly allegedly had dinner together, but the following day, only Molly was discovered in their bedroom, according to the prosecution.
There was a loud explosion, and blood was found in the bedroom. Molly was visible in the entrance. Then came Nkwanzi and Kakwanzi, the latter of whom took Molly to Bugolobi Medical Center in his car.
A narrative in the committal papers states, “A5 not believing, A3’s response by calling the deceased’s phone number to find out whether he was okay but instead Nkwanzi confronted him with the deceased’s phone in her hand and questioned A5’s actions of calling the deceased’s phone as opposed to cleaning the blood as instructed.”
According to the records, every one of the accused—aside from Amanyire—went back to their homes, locked themselves in the master bedroom, and then permitted him to enter.
Otai called the police to report a suicide case, and they told him to lift the deceased’s body onto a little mattress.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, or DPP, intends to use phone printouts, forensic analysis, postmortem findings, and crime scene investigations as evidence in court.
Molly’s DNA, according to the prosecution, was discovered on the trigger, and the cartridges matched the handgun that was found at the scene.
According to the DPP, the accused should be found guilty of the charges against them because they have no legitimate defense. The death penalty is the harshest penalty for murder if one is proven guilty.
