Police Officer told Court that Patricia Kakwanzi, daughter of the late businessman Henry Katanga, allegedly attempted to persuade police to falsify the circumstances surrounding her father’s death.
Peter Ogwang, the officer in charge of Bugolobi police station, testified as the third state witness in the trial involving Molly Katanga, who stands accused of fatally shooting her husband on November 2, 2023.During his court appearance, Ogwang revealed that Kakwanzi had requested him to misrepresent her father’s death as an accident.
He recounted advising her against covering up the details and instead urged her to involve a scene of crimes officer. Ogwang disclosed his familiarity with Kakwanzi from her previous visits regarding Security-Plus Company cases at Bugolobi police station.
He recounted receiving a call from nursing officer Charles Otai on November 2, 2023, around 9 am, informing him of a gunshot suicide incident at a residence in Mbuya.At the scene, Ogwang described finding Samuel Musede, the police’s liaison officer, guarding the area.
He testified to discovering Katanga’s body on a new mattress, covered with a bed sheet, with considerable blood present. Adjacent to the body was a black pistol.Under cross-examination by the defense, discrepancies between Ogwang’s oral testimony and his written statement, dated November 6, 2023, were noted.
The defense team, which included Elison Karuhanga, McDusman Kabega, Bruce Musinguzi, John Jet Tumwebaze, and Peter Kabatsi, sought to have his statement admitted as evidence, questioning the reliability of his testimony.
Molly Katanga, the deceased’s widow, faces allegations of unlawfully shooting her husband. Timothy Nyangwesho, the deceased’s nephew and third state witness, testified that he attempted to contact his uncle on the morning of the incident. Nyangwesho stated that after spending the night at his mother’s home in Bugolobi and leaving around 7 am, he was unable to reach Katanga by phone.
According to Nyangwesho, his mother Naome Nyangwesho instructed him to call Katanga around 8 am, but he received no response on either of Katanga’s phone lines. After contacting Martha Nkwanzi, another daughter of Katanga, at 9:10 am, Nyangwesho learned that his uncle was asleep and was advised to call back later. He later learned of Katanga’s death when his mother informed him.
Nyangwesho further testified that upon returning to Bugolobi, he encountered numerous senior police and army officers at Katanga’s residence in Mbuya. He recounted being stopped by a UPDF officer from ascending the stairs, allowing only his mother to proceed.
During cross-examination by Karuhanga, Nyangwesho confirmed that his statement to the police was made on January 8, 2024, two months after the incident. Karuhanga suggested that Nyangwesho’s statement aimed to fill gaps in the investigation, an assertion Nyangwesho denied. Karuhanga also questioned Nyangwesho about his phone call with Nkwanzi, noting discrepancies in the phone numbers.
The prosecution, led by assistant director of public prosecutions Samalie Wakooli and chief state attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Annah Kiiza, requested an adjournment to call more witnesses, which was granted by the court.
Former deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana, along with lawyers Edgar Ayebazibwe and Brian Rubaihayo, represented the interests of the deceased during the trial.All accused individuals, except Molly Katanga who appeared via Zoom from Luzira Women’s Prison, are currently out on bail.
The trial is set to resume on Friday, July 12.Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanzi, the other accused daughters, face charges related to tampering with evidence that could have substantiated their father’s murder, and aiding and abetting the crime alongside family shamba Boy George Amanyire and nursing officer Charles Otai.