21st November 2023
KAMPALA, Uganda | In a significant development, three individuals, including the deceased businessman Henry Katanga’s daughter Patricia Kakwanza, a medical doctor Dr Charles Otai, and domestic worker George Amanyire, were arraigned at Nakawa Chief Magistrates’ Court and subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison. They face murder charges in connection with the tragic death of Katanga Henry, who was shot earlier this month.
The court appearance follows the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, sanctioning murder charges against Molly Katanga, the widow of the deceased. The trio is additionally charged with destroying evidence and being accessories after the fact of murder for their alleged interference at the crime scene.
Notably, Molly Katanga was not presented in court, leading to the issuance of criminal summons for her and Martha to appear on December 4 and respond to the charges. The suspects, represented by lawyers Elison Karuhanga and Bruce Musigunzi from Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), were remanded to Luzira prison until the next court appearance.
According to the charge sheet, Molly Katanga is accused of murdering her husband on November 2, 2023, at Mbuya Chwa 2 Road, Nakawa Division. The prosecution alleges that she killed Katanga Henry with malice aforethought during an alleged fight in their bedroom. The body was discovered by the police on a small mattress in the living room.
On the charge of destroying evidence, Patricia and Martha are accused of removing or destroying items at the crime scene on the same day, with the intention of preventing them from being used as evidence in judicial proceedings. Dr Otai and Amanyire, facing charges of being accessories after the fact of murder, are accused of receiving or assisting individuals who were, to their knowledge, liable for an offense, with the intent to enable them to escape punishment.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza remanded the trio to Luzira prison until December 4, when they will return for a bail application hearing, as the charges they face are bailable, unlike murder.
The collaborative effort between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) has resulted in the apprehension of the suspects involved in the untimely demise of Katanga Henry. The court proceedings are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident and deliver justice for the late businessman.
