Ezrah Kashumbusha
KAMPALA, February 21, 2014 | The High Court in Kampala has granted bail to the four suspects implicated in the murder of City Businessman Henry Katanga, who tragically lost his life on November 2, 2024. Patricia Kankwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, who are the daughters of the deceased, along with Charles Otai, a domestic worker, and George Amanyire, were released on bail by Justice Isaac Muwata, following their bail application.
The sureties presented for Nkwanzi included Christian Kivuma, Willis Bashaasha, and Harriet Musinguzi, while Otai and Amanyire’s sureties included a list of individuals such as Wilson Tumwine, Merian Zakye, and others. Justice Muwata, in his ruling, accepted the presented sureties, despite challenges from the prosecution regarding their adequacy. He emphasized that the suspects were already committed to stand trial in the High Court, thereby reducing the likelihood of interference with investigations or witnesses.
Furthermore, Muwata highlighted the substantiality of the sureties, noting that the accused had spent over 60 days on remand in Luzira prison awaiting trial. Each of the accused was granted bail on the condition of reporting to the court registrar every Monday for the first month.
The suspects, including Katanga’s daughters, were released on cash bail of shs. 2 million each, while their sureties were bonded at shs. 20 million each. Following the ruling, defense lawyer Jet Tumwebaze expressed satisfaction with the decision, calling it a long-awaited moment for justice. He emphasized the repeated adjournments in the case, labeling it as the most adjourned bail application in Uganda’s history.
However, Tumwebaze expressed disappointment with the Directorate of Public Prosecution’s handling of the case, criticizing their lack of regular communication with the accused and attempts to coerce statements.
The case dates back to November 2, 2023, when Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kankwanza, along with Molly Katanga, the widow of Henry Katanga, were allegedly involved in a fatal altercation resulting in Katanga’s death. Additionally, Nkwanzi, Kankwanza, Dr. Otai, and Amanyire are accused of tampering with evidence and being accessories after the murder.
The state further alleges that Amanyire and Dr. Otai assisted individuals they knew to be involved in criminal activity in evading justice. As the legal proceedings continue, the granting of bail offers a glimmer of hope for the accused as they await trial.
