By THE OBSERVER UG
Molly Katanga wheeled into the court room
Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court has remanded Molly Katanga over the alleged murder of her husband, Henry Katanga last year.
Wearing a long purple tie and die African print with her head wrapped with bandage and arms, Molly was wheeled into the courtroom today Wednesday amidst heavy security comprised of counter-terrorism police. Her head and hands were bandaged while her face was partially covered by a mask.
Chief magistrate Erias Kakooza heard that 55-year-old Molly on November 2, 2023, at Mbuya Chwa two road, Nakawa Division Kampala with malice aforethought murdered Katanga by shooting him dead with a pistol. Since the Nakawa court has no jurisdiction to try her, the charges were only been communicated to her after the prosecution informed the court that the investigations were complete and ready for trial in the High court.
Molly has been on the wanted list since early November and on Monday this week, the court issued an arrest warrant against her following a request by the prosecution led by Jonathan Muwaganya.
After reading the evidence the court intends to use against her, Molly’s lawyers led by Peter Kabatsi asked the court to issue an order to the prison authorities such that there is continued management of the accused persons in liaison with the cooperation of the doctors that have been attending to her.
Kabatsi said that Katanga has had five consecutive injuries and although she is progressively recovering, she still needs medical attention.
Kabatsi added that Katanga’s home since the incident is inaccessible to the family, saying that since investigations are now complete, they should be allowed to access it. McDusman Kabega who is also Molly’s lawyer added that the home has remained cordoned off since November.
As such he asked the court to order the police to vacate the premises. Magistrate Kakooza directed the prison officers to make sure that Molly’s doctors access her while in prison. He has also ruled that family members shouldn’t be blocked by security from accessing their home and subsequently remanded Molly to Luzira Prison until such a time when the High court will be ready to try her.
Relatedly, the High court criminal division judge Isaac Muwata fixed January 29 to hear the bail application of Molly’s co-accused persons; her two daughters Patricia Kakwanza, Martha Nkwanzi and George Amanyire(shamba boy) and Charles Otai (a health worker
The prosecution intends to rely on postmortem reports, forensic analyses, phone printouts, and scene-of-crime reports as evidence in court.
Molly’s DNA was reportedly found on the trigger, and the cartridges matched the pistol recovered at the crime scene. The DPP contends that there is no valid defense for the accused persons, and they should be convicted as charged. Once found guilty of murder, the highest punishment for murder is also death.
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