Prosecutors have urged the High court to dismiss the third bail application filed by Molly Katanga, who is seeking release while facing charges of murdering her husband, Henry Katanga, over a year ago.
Molly, through her legal team led by Peter Kabatsi, presented the bail application on Friday before justice Rosette Comfort Kania of the Criminal Division of the High court. Her lawyers argued that she remains entitled to the presumption of innocence and that bail should be granted since 10 witnesses have already testified, reducing the likelihood of her interfering with the prosecution’s case.
They further contended that Molly has met all legal requirements for bail and that her continued detention serves no legitimate purpose other than to undermine constitutional safeguards, including the right to liberty.
Additionally, the defense cited the Uganda Prisons Service’s inability to provide adequate medical care, stating that her health has deteriorated due to untreated severe cysts in her breasts. Kabatsi emphasized that Molly poses no flight risk, as she would not abandon her co-accused daughters and has deep ties to Uganda, where she is a well-established businesswoman.
To support her application, Molly presented retired Maj Gen Emmanuel Burundi, Dr John Patrick Kabayo, and Geoffrey Kamuntu as her sureties— the same individuals proposed in her previous two unsuccessful applications.
However, the prosecution, led by assistant DPP Samalie Wakooli and chief state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, opposed the application, arguing that it is based on the same grounds that have already been rejected twice. They asserted that no new circumstances warrant reconsideration.
They also challenged the medical argument, noting that Molly’s defense relied on outdated medical documents, with the most recent report from Dr. Denis Kisabu of Luzira Prison dated April 15, 2024, reviewing an earlier Mulago Hospital report from February 8, 2024. The prosecution insisted that a single doctor’s review is insufficient evidence of her current condition.
Additionally, they questioned the reliability of her sureties, citing discrepancies in their documents and inconsistencies in their local council (LC 1) letters. Given the lack of new evidence or changed circumstances, the prosecution asked the court to reject the application.
Molly Katanga is accused of murdering her husband, businessman Henry Katanga, who died from a gunshot wound to the head on November 2, 2023, at their residence on Mbuya Chwa II road in Kampala.
She is on trial alongside her daughters, Patricia Kakwanzi and Martha Nkwanzi, as well as domestic worker George Amanyire and nursing officer Charles Otai. While Molly faces murder charges, her co-accused are charged with destroying evidence and being accessories to the crime. Justice Kania is expected to deliver a ruling on the bail application on Friday, February 21, 2025.
