By CHIMPREPORTS
Nakawa Magistrate Court has remanded Martha Nkwanzi Katanga to Luzira prison for reportedly destroying evidence in the case of murder of her father Henry Katanga.
Nkwanzi now joins her sister, Patricia Kakwanza alias Tricia, househelper George Amanyire and Charles Otai at Luzira prison where they were charged and remanded on charges related to Katanga’s death.
Katanga, a prominent moneylender was found dead in his bedroom at his matrimonial home in Mbuya, Kampala.
Molly Katanga, who was charged with her husband’s murder, is yet to appear in court, with her lawyers saying she is still hospitalised for injuries reportedly sustained during a fight with her departed husband.
Court case
Nkwanzi, who had failed to honour several court summons appeared in court on Wednesday.
She was accompanied by her husband Christian Kivuna.
Nakawa Court Magistrate Erias Kakooza declined to release Nkwanzi on bail after prosecutors said the accused appeared on a charge sheet with a count of murder, a capital offence only triable by the High Court.
Chief State Attorney Jonathan Mugwanya urged the Magistrate to not entertain Nkwanzi’s plea but “communicate the charges to the accused person”, adding, “a plea will be taken by the appropriate court.”
Baby
However, the accused’s lawyer, McDusman Kabega argued that Nkwanzi was a law-abiding citizen who had brought herself to court and had a one-month-old baby.
Court had issued an arrest warrant for Nkwanzi after failing to respond to three summons to appear in court yet she was not hospitalised.
But Kabega said the arrest warrant was yet to be executed.
“My client (Njwanzi) delivered a baby about a month ago and she has been undergoing treatment,” argued Kabega.
“To remand a mother who has just given birth would not only be a great injustice to her, but also to her baby. We pray that this court be pleased to release her on court bond as provided for under Section 65 of the Magistrate’s Court Act,” he emphasised.
In his ruling, Kakooza said it would be proper to wait for the outcome of the revision case lodged by the Director of Public Prosecution at the High Court.
“I appreciate the submissions of the defence lawyers that the accused gave birth about a month ago, but for purposes of consistency, I remand her until January 22, 2024,” Kakooza ruled.
The high profile murder case involves prominent wealthy military families.
The family of Henry Katanga believes Molly intentionally took her husband’s life.
However, Molly’s close associates say she is a victim of domestic violence who sustained injuries from physical assault by her deceased’s husband.
Kampala Associated Advocates, who are representing Molly Katanga, said following the numerous surgeries performed on her, she had experienced stagnated healing in certain regions of her scalp, evidenced by persistent scabs and blackening of the region and dizziness which has impacted her mobility and comfort in general.
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