The High Court in Kampala has determined that Molly Katanga and four co-accused who include two of her duaghters have a prima facie (on the face of it) case to answer in murder of husband-prominent businessman Henry Katanga.
This means that now the murder case which has attarcted huge public interest will now proceed on full trial where the accused perosns will be put on their defence for the alleged gunning down the late Katanga while at their home in Mbuya two years ago.
Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, ruled that the prosecution that delivered incriminating evidence had proved a prema facie case against all the accused perosns to warrant their defence in the high profile murder case .
Lady justice Kania held that the prosecution had established sufficient evidence, if believed, to present a prima facie case against, Molly Katanga, widow of the deceased and the principal accused person , herr daughters, Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwazi; family worker George Amanyire, and nursing officer Charles Otai.
Molly is accusedf of fatally shooting her husband on November 2, 2023, at their family home in Mbuya, Nakawa Division, Kampala District. The four others face related charges including destroying evidence and being accessories after the fact to murder- meaning that they helped to cover and or destroy evidence at the crime scene.
The prosecution — led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Samali Wakooli and Jonathan Muwaganya — alleges that Molly shot Henry and, in concert with the other suspects, attempted to conceal the crime.
State lawyers pointed to circumstantial evidence, forensic analysis and the “last seen” doctrine, arguing that Molly and her husband were the only adults reported to be in the master bedroom at the time of the shooting.
DNA evidence from the firearm showed mixed profiles with Molly as the major contributor — a finding the State says supports her handling the murder weapon.
The defence had asked the court to dismiss the case at the no-case to answer stage, arguing that the prosecution’s evidence fell short of proving murder.
Defence lawyers called the forensic evidence unreliable, citing contradictions in gunshot residue testing and alleged procedural irregularities in how evidence was collected and handled. They also argued that Molly’s extensive injuries — including head wounds — made it improbable she could have fired the gun.
The trial has been ongoing since July 2025, after prosecutors closed their case with testimony from a record 25 witnesses.
Witnesses have included forensic experts, police officers, and others involved in the investigation, with some testimony generating controversy over accuracy and interpretation.
Earlier in the proceedings, defence lawyers challenged the validity of certain witness reports and procedures, including handwriting analyses of police reports and alleged inconsistencies in testimony by key prosecution witnesses.
With the court now satisfied that there is a case to answer, the matter will proceed to the defence stage, where each of the five accused will present their defence before a final judgment is delivered at a later date.
