By The defense team in the Katanga murder case has petitioned the High Court to reconsider the case’s proceedings, alleging that the Nakawa Chief Magistrates overreached their authority by accepting a plea in a capital case.
Several of the accused in this case have already applied for bail, despite the prosecution’s claim that the allegations against them are related to murder, a capital felony that can only be tried in a high court.
“We are proceeding in alignment with sections 48 and 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code Act and we see that the plea-taking by the accused in a magistrates court is being erroneously done, yet they have to be committed to the High Court which has the jurisdiction over the matter,” said Jonathan Muwaganya, the lead prosecutor.
The presiding judge, Isaac Muwata, granted both sides time to submit their arguments because the defense, led by Macdusman Kabega, did not object. A decision will be made on January 24, 2024.
Molly Katanga, the deceased man’s wife, remains bedridden; the other five accused include Katanga’s daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, who are in detention alongside Dr. Charles Otai and George Amanyire.
WHO WAS HENRY KATANGA?
Henry is an Ankole prince and hails from Kariro, Rubindi sub-county, Mbarara district. He is one of the nine children born to the late Katanga and Miriel Kyobuhooro who is still alive. He belongs to the Bahinda royal family of Ankole.
The family patriarch was a brother to former Ankole Omugabe Sir Charles Gasyonga II. His brothers James Katanga, Ntomi Katanga, and Arthur Kasasira [who was part of the original NRA 41 who attacked Kabamba and bodyguard to Museveni during the UNLF days], were part of the NRM guerilla war.
James and Ntomi died before NRA took power while Kasasira died just a few years into President Museveni’s reign. According to reliable sources, the government compensated the Katanga family for the loss of the three sons with monetary resources and business deals which they have consolidated to this day.
A sister to Henry, Naome Kashushani, was married to the late Maj Gen Francis Nyangweso. This perhaps explains why some of Henry’s biggest business dealings in logistical equipment were with highly sensitive entities such as the UPDF, State House, and the Ministry of Defence.
At the time of his death, Henry had relocated to the Kikatsi sub-county in the Kiruhura district. Both Henry and Molly have been running Merge Ltd, a procurement and supplies company, that is doing business with the State House, SFC, ministries of Defence and Agriculture, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and the World Food Programme, among others.
Incidentally, with Henry dead, only Naome remains alive of the nine siblings.
