By Spy Uganda
Kampala: In a dramatic turn at the High Court, the prosecution unveiled damning video footage placing key suspects at the scene of the Katanga murder. The footage, presented between November 1st and 2nd, 2023, paints an increasingly grim picture for Patricia Kakwanza and her alleged accomplices in the chilling events that transpired on Chwa II Road, Mbuya Hill.
The first respondent, Otai Charles, emerged as a central figure. According to testimony, Otai was invited to the residence by Patricia herself, who allegedly called him from the the mast reading Mbuya Hill, a location within proximity to the Katanga home. This phone call places Patricia at the scene, undermining her previous claims of non-involvement.
One of the most incriminating pieces of evidence surfaced in the form of a disturbing image: Amanyire, referred to in court as the shamba boy, was caught in a selfie wearing a blood-tainted shirt. His actions did not stop there. Surveillance footage captured him carrying a ladder while others were seen scrubbing what appeared to be blood from the floor. This macabre clean-up operation was allegedly directed by Patricia herself, who was seen on camera overseeing the activity, all the while speaking on her small “ka torch” phone very uneasy. Legal analysts pointed out that this suggests an attempt to tamper with the crime scene, for which was already charged with before granting her temporary freedom,known as court bail.
Equally eyebrow-raising was the role of Ogwang Peter, a police officer whose sudden arrival at the gate shortly after the incident raised suspicion. Phone records indicate that Otai Charles, present at the scene, contacted Ogwang. The prosecution insinuates that Ogwang’s rapid response was orchestrated to manage or potentially suppress initial investigations.
Legal team faceoff tomorrow
On the bench leading the defense is veteran legal mind MacDusman Kabega, serving as lead counsel for Molly Katanga, the widow of the deceased and now one of the accused. Kabega heads a powerful defense team including Peter Kabatsi, Elly Karuhanga, and Jet Mwebaze. These legal heavyweights are expected to mount a robust defense in the coming days, starting with cross examination tomorrow.
The court session adjourned to tomorrow with the defense lawyers, led by MacDusman Kabega and his team, poised to cross-examine the prosecution’s forensic expert who introduced the video evidence. The defense has so far maintained Molly Katanga’s innocence, suggesting she is being scapegoated in a complex family feud. Yet the video clips may have shifted the scales dramatically.
Background:
The Katanga murder case stems from the violent death of businessman Henry Katanga, found deceased under mysterious circumstances in his family home on Chwa II Road. Molly Katanga, his widow, along with associates like Patricia Kakwanza, Otai Charles, and the shamba boy Amanyire, have been under intense scrutiny. Initial reports suggested an accidental death, but emerging forensic evidence and phone records hinted at premeditation.
This case has unfolded like a legal chess game, with both prosecution and defense engaging in strategic maneuvering. The prosecution has employed what some experts are calling a masterclass in evidentiary presentation—using a combination of digital surveillance, forensic science, and telecommunication data to reconstruct the alleged crime.
The defense, on the other hand, has accused the state of “trial by media” and prosecutorial overreach, arguing that much of the evidence has been manipulated or misrepresented to fit a narrative of guilt.
As the trial resumes on Thursday, all eyes will be on the cross-examination—a crucial moment where defense lawyers will attempt to punch holes in the prosecution’s seemingly ironclad case. Whether they succeed or not could determine the fate of Molly Katanga and her co-accused.
