A dramatic court hearing today has revealed chilling details about the events surrounding the death of prominent businessman Henry Katanga. Police officer Peter Ogwang took the stand, describing a gruesome scene: a body on a new mattress, surrounded by blood splatters and a black pistol. He identified suspects Martha Nkwanzi and Charles Otai a Nursing Officer and revealed that Patricia Kankwanzi was present at the scene, seeking help to report the incident as an accident.
Peter Ogwang a 34-year-old police officer attached to Bugolobi Police station, testified that on November 2nd last year, he received a phone call from Otai, a medical officer at Bugolobi Medical Center, reporting a suicide by shooting. Upon arriving at the scene, Peter Ogwang described the gruesome sight and identified the suspects.
However, during cross-examination, defense lawyer Macdusman Kabega pointed out discrepancies in the witness’s statement, including the failure to mention Patricia’s presence and statements at the scene. The witness admitted not recording everything he observed and might have forgotten some details.
Molly Katanga, the deceased’s widow is facing murder charges alone. While other accused persons including George Amanyire the family’s shamba boy face charges of destroying valuable evidence that would have been vital in providing Katanga Murder.
In a separate testimony, Timothy Nyangwesho, the deceased’s nephew, described his attempts to reach his uncle on the day of the incident. He slept at his mother’s home in Bugolobi and left at 7 am to return home. At 8 am, his mother called him, asking him to call Katanga, but he was unreachable. Timothy tried calling Katanga on both his lines, but no one picked up. His mother then asked him to call Martha, Katanga’s daughter.
Timothy testified that he called Martha at around 9:10 am, and she told him that her father was sleeping and asked him to call back later. When Timothy called his mother back to report the conversation, she informed him that Henry was dead. Timothy drove back to Bugolobi and found his mother at the gate. They proceeded to Katanga’s home in Mbuya, where they found many senior police and army officers. Timothy was stopped from going upstairs by a police officer but only his mother was allowed.
Under cross-examination by Elison Karuhanga, Timothy confirmed that he recorded a statement at the police station on January 8, 2024, two months after the incident. Karuhanga suggested that Timothy’s statement was made to fill gaps in the investigation. Timothy denied this. Karuhanga also questioned Timothy about his phone conversation with Martha, pointing out that Timothy’s phone number was not among the contacts listed in the police forensic report. Timothy admitted that the phone number he called was not Martha’s number and was not saved in his phone.
The prosecution requested an adjournment to bring more witnesses, which was granted by the court. The trial will continue this Friday. The prosecution and defense teams are gearing up for an intense battle, with the truth hanging in the balance.
