Molly Katanga has been formally charged with the murder of her husband, Henry Katanga, who was a prominent businessman. The charges were presented at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, where it was revealed that Molly allegedly shot Henry with a pistol on November 2nd, 2023, resulting in his tragic death. The court, lacking jurisdiction for such a serious offense, decided to forward the case to the High Court for trial.
Appearing in court under heavy security and with her head and hands bandaged due to injuries sustained during her time on the run since early November 2023, Molly Katanga faced the formal accusations. The prosecution, led by Jonathan Muwaganya, informed the court that investigations were complete and requested Molly to be committed to the High Court for a fair trial.
Molly’s legal team, headed by Peter Kabatsi, made a plea to gain access to Molly’s residence, which has been sealed off since the incident. They argued that with investigations concluded, it was crucial for the family to be able to return home. However, the prosecution expressed concerns about the security complexity at the crime scene, highlighting the military presence guarding the property.
In response, the court instructed prison officers to ensure Molly’s doctors have proper access to her medical needs while in custody. It was also ruled that Molly’s family members should not face obstruction from security when attempting to reach their residence. Subsequently, Molly Katanga was remanded to Luzira Prison until the High Court is prepared to conduct her trial.
In a parallel development, the High Court Criminal Division, presided over by Judge Isaac Muwata, has set January 29, 2024, as the date to hear the bail application for Molly’s co-accused individuals.
This decision followed a challenge to the jurisdiction of the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court to handle the plea-taking of Molly’s co-accused, including her daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, who face charges of murder and evidence tampering. Two others, Amanyire George and Charles Otai, are accused of being accessories to the murder.
