Represented by lawyers MacDusman Kabega, John Jet Tumwebaze, and Elison Karuhanga, the accused persons presented their sureties, many of whom were close relatives engaged in various businesses. Sureties included prominent businessmen and women who vouched for the accused, seeking their release on bail.
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The suspects appearing before court
Four of the five suspects implicated in the
murder of businessman Henry Katanga, a case that occurred about three months
ago, have presented their sureties before the High Court in an attempt to
secure temporary freedom.
The suspects, including the deceased's two daughters,
Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kankwanzi, a Shamba boy George Amanyire, and
Medical Worker Charles Otai, appeared before the Criminal Division High Court Judge
Isaac Muwata Monday.
Represented by lawyers MacDusman Kabega, John Jet Tumwebaze, and
Elison Karuhanga, the accused persons presented their sureties, many of whom
were close relatives engaged in various businesses. Sureties included prominent
businessmen and women who vouched for the accused, seeking their release on
bail.
Facing charges such as destroying evidence and being an
accessory after the fact of murder, the accused filed their bail application
about two weeks ago. Kakwanzi, the first applicant presented her husband Wilson
Mwine Mukulu who deals in solar energy and her mother in law Zakye Merian
Kyamanyanga, the owner of Shell Pump Fuel Station Opposite High Court, and her
father-in-law Herbert Kamugisha who deals in real estate and farming as her
sureties.
Just like her sister, Nkwazi, the second applicant also
presented her husband Christian Kivuna, a Distributor with Nile Breweries,
Willis Bashasha, a family friend working with the office of the President as
Director in charge of Manifesto and her niece Harriet Hada Mucunguzi, the
Property Manager at the National Social Security Fund.
Charles Otai presented his wife Shamim Nakasujja, a Finance
Assistant at AfriChild Centre, his mother-in-law Kaaya Hasifah Bukenya, a
Marketing Manager with Chess Homes, his sister Christine Alamo, an Assistant
Chef and his brother Godfrey Opio, a UPDF officer at Magamaga. The fourth suspect Amanyire presented Joab
Tushabe, a businessman dealing in Mobile Money, Shallon Murungi, a waitress at
Bugolobi Canteen, and Anthony Atwijukire, a Boda Boda rider.
During the court session, State Attorney Samalie Wakooli and
State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya requested an adjournment, citing poor quality
and unreadable documents that needed clearer copies for valid responses. This led to a heated exchange between the defense lawyers and
the State Attorneys, with the defense arguing that this was the tenth time the
prosecution was frustrating the bail application.
They accused them of acting
in bad faith and attempting to keep the accused persons in jail. Despite the
defense's objections, the court granted the adjournment. The defense lawyers led by
Jet Tumwebaze expressed
shock at the request for an adjournment, emphasizing that the issues raised by
the prosecution could be addressed during the hearing and did not require an
adjournment. They accused the State Attorneys of causing unnecessary delays in
the legal proceedings.
“This matter was again adjourned for a mention, the state
attorney, same person, same breath, same English never raised any of the issues
she is raising. Those are issues that can be raised during the hearing, they
don't require Adjournment. They would need leave to file another affidavit.
This is clearly in bad faith, aimed at keeping the accused persons in jail,”
said Tumwebaze.
The Prosecution, led by Assistant DPP Samalie Wakooli and State
Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, clarified that the affidavit filed by Ann Kiiza
was in opposition to the bail application pending the ruling of the application
for criminal revision. They insisted on an adjournment to enable them to get a
proper response, citing the serious nature of the matter. The court, after
hearing the arguments from both sides, granted the adjournment, directing the
Prosecution to file their response.
The bail hearing is now scheduled for
February 12, 2024, for mention before the court sets the ruling date. Meanwhile, Molly Katanga, the key suspect and
wife of the deceased, is yet to apply for bail. Henry Katanga was allegedly
shot twice with a pistol at their home on Chwa 2 Road in Mbuya-Nakawa on
November 2, 2023.
