Three suspects facing charges related to the murder of Kampala businessman and Ankole prince Henry Katanga on November 2, 2023 appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court in Kampala and were sent back to Luzira prison.
The accused; Patricia Kakwanza alias Tricia who is accused of tampering with the evidence at the crime scene; and George Amanyire and Charles Otai facing charges of assisting the murderer/s to escape punishment again appeared in court on Monday, December 4, 2023 and were further remanded until December 18, 2023.
The state recently charged Katanga’s widow, Molly Katanga, over her husband’s murder and their daughter Martha Nkwanzi Katanga for reportedly tampering with the evidence at the crime scene.
Molly Katanga was expected at Nakawa Court but did not show up as she is admitted at IHK hospital in Muyenga for injuries reportedly sustained from the alleged fight with the late Katanga, while Martha recently gave birth at a city hospital. The accused were represented by lawyers Elison Karuhanga, Jet Mwebaze, Zulaika Mirembe Kasajja and Bruce Musinguzi.
ALSO READ – UGX300M USED TO MANAGE BAD PUBLICITY: DID MOLLY KATANGA, C-CARE IHK DOCTOR OTAI & OTHERS PLOT HENRY KATANGA’S MURDER?
The prosecution had asked for a warrant of arrest for Molly Katanga.
However, lawyer Elison Karuhanga told court presided over by Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza that Molly was a “victim of a thorough beating” by her deceased husband.
“She is very sick,” Karuhanga argued.
Karuhanga also presented an updated letter from IHK hospital to prove that Molly’s health condition was in a bad state.
The lawyer also presented photos showing bruises on Molly’s head and arms to court as evidence of physical injuries inflicted on her. The judge agreed with Molly’s lawyers before extending her criminal summons to January 8, 2023.
Karuhanga also told court that Martha was “still under treatment” after giving birth late last month.
Katanga’s relatives appeared at the court premises holding placards demanding justice for the deceased.
They said Molly is pretending to be sick, insisting she must appear in court to face charges of murder.
Katanga, a prominent moneylender was found dead on the morning of November 2, 2023, in his bedroom at his matrimonial home in Mbuya, Kampala.
Molly, who was in the same bedroom where the businessman’s lifeless body was found in a pool of blood, was charged with murder of her husband.
Katanga’s relatives argue that the alleged presence of Dr. Otai at the deceased’s home on the fateful morning of November 2; the deleting of the family home’s CCTV footage; the conduct of family members at the crime scene after the incident; and the withdrawal of large sums of money from a family bank account on the fateful morning by one of Katanga’s daughter caused unease and required an inquest of court.
ALSO READ – HENRY KATANGA MURDER: WHAT NEXT FOR MOLLY KATANGA, 2 DAUGHTERS & OTHER SUSPECTS?
