DPP ordered to use CCTV footage and raw data from mobile phones in Katanga murder case

Kampala High Court judge Isaac Muwata this Tuesday directed the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to make use of all the raw data that the forensic digital examiner in the police will rely on as he continues to testify against the five accused persons. The person behind the murder of Kampala businessman Henry Katanga.

According to the judge, it is a fundamental principle of criminal law that the DPP present all evidence to the defense and ensure that the defendants receive a fair trial in accordance with the Constitution.

“…Furthermore, the prosecution had a duty, during the pre-trial period and continuing throughout the trial, to disclose to the defense all relevant scientific material in order to strengthen or weaken the prosecution. Pursuant to this duty, they were required to have the benefit of all records or relevant records and tests conducted by experts,” Justice Muwata ruled.

He continued: “Similarly in this case, the prosecution has a duty to disclose the relevant scientific materials, regardless of its view to the contrary. I think the raw data and video evidence should be released to the defense. “That’s how I order it”
The court’s decision follows an appeal by the defense team last week, demanding that the prosecution’s 10th witness, Mr Enoc Kanene, a digital forensic investigator with the police, provide them with all the raw data he obtained from mobile camera footage. phone, DVD and other gadgets that police seized from the late Katanga’s home in Mbuya, near Kampala.

Shortly after the court ruling, DPP Attorney General Jonathan Muwaganya said they would comply with the judge’s decision.
“His estimate is that it needs about six hours to extract the raw data from the devices so we can be in a position to deliver the raw data by close of business today so we can be in a position to continue tomorrow.” Mr Muwaganya surrendered.

Peter Kabatsi, one of the defense attorneys, stood up and said they needed another day to analyze the raw data before moving on.
After the consensus of all parties, the judge postponed the next hearing of the case to Thursday this week.
On November 2 last year, the businessman was found dead at his home in Mbuya, Katanga, and his wife Molly Katanga was arrested as the prime suspect. He has since denied the murder charges against him.

He is jointly charged with his two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza, who face lesser charges of destroying evidence and being an accessory after the fact to murder.
The other accused are doctor Charles Otai and shambaboy George Amanyire.
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