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The defense’s cross-examination also highlighted inconsistencies in Nyangweso’s account of her relationship with Katanga.
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COURT — The trial of Molly Katanga, charged with the murder of her husband, businessman Henry Katanga, resumed at the High Court on Tuesday with intense cross-examinations led by the defense team. Katanga is on trial alongside her daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as domestic worker George Amanyire and nursing officer Charles Otai, all accused of either complicity in the murder or tampering with evidence.
In a heated session, Jet Tumwebaze, leading the defense, confronted prosecution witness Naome Nyangweso, Katanga’s sister-in-law. Tumwebaze challenged Nyangweso's prior testimony, where she claimed Katanga had mentioned meeting a lawyer to make a Will just a week before Kakwanza’s wedding. Tumwebaze argued that this assertion was misleading since Katanga had already drafted a Will in 2018.
“Katanga never expressed intentions to draft a new Will in 2023,” Tumwebaze argued, citing statements from Katanga's longtime legal counsel, Ronald Mugabe Ruranga, who confirmed assisting the deceased with a Will in early 2018. The defense emphasized this point, suggesting Nyangweso’s statements might be based on incorrect assumptions or misinterpretations.
The defense’s cross-examination also highlighted inconsistencies in Nyangweso’s account of her relationship with Katanga. When questioned by lawyer MacDosman Kabega, Nyangweso admitted to being unaware of the 2018 Will, despite her claims of a close bond with Katanga. Kabega further suggested that Nyangweso’s understanding of events surrounding Katanga’s death may be influenced by the rumors and fears shared within the family.
Adding another layer to the defense’s argument, Kabega examined the alleged “gang” that Nyangweso claimed Katanga feared. Nyangweso had testified that Katanga believed this group was targeting him. Kabega challenged her on this point, suggesting she was uncertain of the specific individuals involved and casting doubt on the credibility of her statements regarding the gang’s existence.
The defense lawyers, including Peter Kabatsi, Elison Karuhanga, and Bruce Musinguzi, meticulously questioned Nyangweso about other claims she had made, including her interactions with Katanga’s cousin, Scovia Kabananukye, at Kakwanza's wedding. Kabega raised questions about Nyangweso’s testimony, which implied that Katanga expressed fears regarding her interactions with Kabananukye, portraying them as part of a larger, unspecified threat.
The prosecution, represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Samali Wakooli and Chief State Attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza, maintained their stance, countering the defense’s narrative and asserting the reliability of their witness. Observing on behalf of Katanga's family was Mwesigwa Rukutana, a well-known lawyer, who followed the proceedings closely.
With Justice Isaac Muwata presiding, the hearing is set to continue, with more testimonies expected to unfold next week. As the trial progresses, both the prosecution and defense are keen to unravel the complex details surrounding Henry Katanga’s tragic death from a gunshot wound at his home in Mbuya on November 2 last year.
Torch Media Africa
