Molly Katanga having her day in court
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The High Court has ruled that widow Molly Katanga must answer charges in connection with the death of her husband, businessman Henry Katanga.
In the ruling delivered on Thursday, presiding judge Rosette Comfort Kania ruled that Molly and her co accusedshould present their defence on the matter.
She pointed out that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require Ms Katanga to mount a defence against the murder allegations.
“I find that each of the accused have a case to answer in the respective counts and I hereby put each one of them to their defence,” she ruled.
The judge explained that that the accused have the option to give sworn evidence, in which case the accused may be cross examined by the prosecution and may also call witnesses in support of their defence.
She also said that they can exercise their constitutional right to give unsworn evidence or to remain silent.
Justice Kania also ruled that Ms Katanga’s daughters Patricia Kakwanzi and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as the family’s shamba boy George Amanyire, and medical officer Charles Otai, have a case to answer for allegedly destroying evidence and assisting the widow in avoiding punishment.
She further said that having considered the submissions of both the prosecution and defence on record, the prosecution has succeeded in adducing evidence in all the essential ingridients of the offence, warranting each accused personto be put to their defence. The prosecution produced 25 witnesses to testify against the accused persons.
The defence team consists of Peter Kabatsi, MacDusman Kabega, Jet Tumwebaze, Elison Karuhanga and Bruce Musinguzi. Renowned lawyer, Mwesigwa Rukutana is monitoring the proceedings on behalf of the deceased’s family.
The case was adjourned to March 26th this year, for defence hearing.
What the ruling means
The ruling means all five accused must prepare their defence and provide explanations to the court regarding the circumstances of Henry Katanga’s death.
It also means that Katanga and her co-accused, supported by their lawyers, have to prove their position that Henry Katanga died by suicide following a domestic dispute.
Businessman Henry Katanga was found dead in the family’s bedroom on November 2, 2024, with the widow unconscious after sustaining grave injuries on the head and hands.
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