High Court Judge Isaac Muwata has on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, denied bail to Katanga’s widow, Molly Katanga.
The judge in his ruling issued this morning stated that Molly Katanga’s age and medical condition do not exempt her from jail, as prison medical facilities can accommodate her needs.
The jailed wife of slain businessman Henry Katanga had asked court to release her on bail pending trial to enable her undergo further treatment.
Katanga has been on remand at Luzira prison on accusations of murder of her husband. She is jointly accused with her two daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi. Other suspects are Dr Charles Otai and domestic worker George Amanyire.
Ms Katanga’s co-accused persons are all on bail pending trial that is slated to begin on July 2
Through her lawyers, Ms Katanga contends that she sustained serious injuries in the alleged fight with her slain husband for which she needs to undergo for further treatment
With the trial set for July 2nd, 2024, the judge on Tuesday deemed it necessary for the widow to prepare for the legal proceedings in the interest of justice.
Molly’s lawyers led by Mr Ellison Karuhanga had presented four sureties, among them her relative John Patrick Kaboyo, a retired civil servant businessman, Mr Geoffrey Kamuntu, retired UPDF soldier, Gen Emmanuel Nyamunywanisa Burundi and State minister for Health Margaret Muhanga Mugisa.
However, State Attorney Samalie Wakhooli had objected to Ms Katanga’s bail application, reasoning that the accused person appeared in court following an arrest warrant and she was committed to High Court for trial which shows the state commitment to dispose of the case.
The prosecution claims that Ms Molly Katanga, with malice aforethought, killed her husband. Ms Katanga is charged alongside four other suspects including her two daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi.
Prosecution alleges that on November 2, 2023 at Mbuya, Chwa 2, in Nakawa Division, Molly caused the death of her husband Katanga.
Katanga died on November 2 following an alleged fight with his wife in the bedroom. His body was later found by police placed on a small mattress in the living room.
The state alleges that on November 2 2023, Nkwanzi and Kakwanza, knowing that things at the scene of crime may be required in evidence in a judicial proceeding, removed or destroyed them or rendered them illegible or undecipherable or incapable of identification. Prosecution claims that the duo had the intention to prevent them from being used in evidence.
The state further states Dr Otai and Amanyire received or assisted other people who were to their knowledge liable of an offence, in order to enable them escape punishment.
