Katanga murder trial: Prosecution’s 10th witness failed to appear in court

Supreme Court chief justice Isaac Muwata has been left with no option but to postpone the high-profile murder case in which five men have been accused of being behind the murder of Kampala businessman Henry Katanga.

The court was to hear evidence from the 10th prosecution witness on Tuesday morning, but was told he did not comply.
At around 11:42am when the court convened, Solicitor General Jonathan Muwaganya stood up and said the witness they had lined up for the day had let them down because he had spent a weekend in the village before requesting an adjournment.

“My lord, we would like to apologize for the delays which will eventually affect our work today. The prosecution witness we have arranged for today spent the weekend out of town and underestimated the entry into Kampala. So before my lord gets in, we pray for adjournment to overcome the difficulties encountered,” he pleaded Mr Muwaganya to the judge.

When the judge tried to find out if it was possible to hear the witness, Mr Muwaganya replied: “Despite his delayed arrival, when he reached the store where the exhibition was held, the store attendant was not there. I think we underestimated this fact.” this… and yet the store is locked.”
Defense lawyers, led by Peter Kabatsi and Macdosman Kabega, were left with no choice but to accept the state’s request that that day’s hearing be postponed until the next day (November 6).

The judge said briefly, “The case has been adjourned until tomorrow (Wednesday), the bail of the defendants has been extended until then.”
The prosecution did not disclose details of the next witness.

On November 2, 2023, Mr. Katanga was found dead at his home in Mbuya, near Kampala, following what was believed to be a domestic fight with his wife, Molly Katanga.

His wife was taken to a nearby hospital after receiving deep cuts to her head, but was later arrested and charged with her husband’s murder.

He has since denied the accusations.

He is charged along with his two daughters, Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, who face lesser charges of destroying evidence and being an accessory after the murder.
Also accused are Charles Otai, a doctor at Bugolobi Medical Centre, and George Amanyire, who used to work as a shambaboy at Katanga’s home.