Summary:

• The High Court in Kampala has denied bail to Molly Katanga for the second time. She is accused of murdering her husband, Henry Katanga, in November 2023. Judge Isaac Muwata rejected her application, citing a lack of new evidence and concerns about her trial, which starts on June 2, 2024. Molly’s daughters and two others involved were previously granted bail.

KAMPALA, (Examiner) – The High Court in Kampala has once again denied bail to Molly Katanga, who stands accused of murdering her husband, businessman Henry Katanga.

Prosecutors allege that Molly Katanga murdered her husband on November 2, 2023, in Mbuya, Chwa II, Nakawa Division. Molly’s two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Kakwanza Patricia, face charges of tampering with valuable evidence related to the case. They, along with the family’s shamba boy George Amanyire and nursing officer Charles Otai, were granted bail over two months ago. However, Molly remains in custody at Luzira Women’s Prison.

Criminal Division Judge Isaac Muwata denied Molly’s bail application, citing a lack of new evidence. “While it is permissible for an accused person to apply for bail multiple times, each fresh application must introduce new grounds,” Muwata stated. He further explained, “In the new application, it could be concluded that the applicant has failed to prove her condition couldn’t be managed by prison authorities. There is no new ground of ailment raised in the application but rather a mere mention of it. This matter was considered in the previous application.”

Muwata also pointed out that Molly’s murder trial is set to begin on June 2, 2024, and granting her bail could jeopardize the case, as the prosecution has already shared evidence with her defense team.

Background:

On April 9, Judge Muwata initially denied Molly’s bail due to insufficient evidence of exceptional circumstances, including a lack of medical reports indicating that her health conditions could not be managed in custody. Molly subsequently submitted a second bail application, supported by a medical examination conducted by the Uganda Prisons Service on April 15, 2024. The examination found that Molly suffered from various medical issues, including hypertension, breast masses, paranasal sinusitis, vertigo, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The prison doctors concluded that monitoring her multiple breast masses was beyond their capacity.

Court documents revealed that as of April 12, Molly’s fibrotic masses had increased. Her lawyers argued that her serious health issues, combined with previously substantial sureties, warranted her release on bail. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application, stating there were no new circumstances justifying a reconsideration of bail.