In a shocking turn of events, Nakawa Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza issued an arrest warrant on Monday for Molly Katanga, accused of fatally shooting her husband Henry Katanga on November 2, 2023. The decision followed the presentation of forensic and DNA analyses to the court by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), revealing compelling evidence against Molly.
The prosecution, led by Jonathan Muwaganya, argued that Molly's DNA was discovered on the trigger of the weapon used, and cartridges found at the crime scene matched the recovered pistol. The DPP asserted that the evidence presented left no room for a valid defense and pressed for the accused persons to be convicted as charged.
Chief Magistrate Kakooza, responding to the prosecution's request, issued the arrest warrant despite a letter from Molly's next of kin addressing her recent surgeries and hospital admission, citing health concerns. The magistrate emphasized that Molly's alleged sickness could not be substantiated in court, and he ordered the police to apprehend her and bring her to court by February 12.
Molly, along with her daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, is facing charges of murder and destroying evidence, respectively. George Amanyire, a shamba boy, and Charles Otai, a health worker, are accused of being accessories to murder. The prosecution contends that Molly shot Henry Katanga, and her daughters tampered with evidence to make it unidentifiable for judicial proceedings. Amanyire and Otai allegedly assisted in foiling evidence and tampering with the crime scene.
Evidence submitted to the court revealed that Molly and the deceased had expressed concerns about their safety, with the deceased fearing he was being tracked by his wife. The deceased had reportedly taken precautions, such as changing phone passwords and acquiring a new private telephone line.
The prosecution's narrative suggests that Molly and the deceased had dinner together on November 1, 2023. However, in the early hours of November 2, a loud blast was heard, leading to the discovery of a pool of blood in the bedroom. Witnesses observed Molly standing in the doorway, and later, Nkwanzi and Kakwanzi arrived. Kakwanzi then drove Molly to Bugolobi Medical Center.
The court documents allege that Nkwanzi confronted Amanyire for calling the deceased's phone, and the accused persons, except Amanyire, returned home, closing themselves in the master bedroom. Amanyire was later allowed in and instructed to move the deceased's body onto a small mattress before Otai reported the incident to the police as a suicide case.
