Molly Katanga, along with her two daughters Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanzi, the family's shamba boy George Amanyire, and nursing officer Charles Otai, are all facing charges in connection with the murder of Henry Katanga, who was shot and killed on November 2, 2023.
The High Court's Criminal Division continued its proceedings this morning in the high-profile murder case of businessman Henry Katanga, with a key prosecution witness providing crucial forensic evidence.
Derrick Kasawali, a firearms examiner and head of the Ballistics and Toolmark Unit at the Uganda Police Force's Forensic Department, testified about gunpowder residue found on the body and clothing of Molly Katanga, the widow of the deceased.
Molly Katanga, along with her two daughters Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanzi, the family's shamba boy George Amanyire, and nursing officer Charles Otai, are all facing charges in connection with the murder of Henry Katanga, who was shot and killed on November 2, 2023.
The prosecution alleges that the group was involved in the fatal shooting of Katanga at the family's home.
Kasawali, appearing as the 11th witness for the prosecution, explained to the court how his team examined several exhibits linked to the crime scene.
He told Justice Rosette Comfort Kania that his laboratory received a black pistol, live ammunition, a projectile, and a pistol magazine recovered from the Katanga master bedroom and the crime scene.
His task was to determine if the pistol was capable of discharging live bullets and whether it had been used to fire a shot.
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Kasawali also explained that he received clothing recovered from the widow, Molly Katanga, her daughter Patricia Kakwanzi, and a doctor's shirt from nurse Charles Otai, which were sent for analysis to detect any gunshot residue.
Additionally, swabs from Molly Katanga's right hand, from the gunshot wounds on her late husband's body, and from the muzzle of the black pistol were sent to his laboratory for further examination.
On November 13, 2023, Kasawali authored a report detailing his findings. The report confirmed that the black pistol was in good working condition and capable of discharging live ammunition. Furthermore, he stated that there was strong evidence linking the spent cartridge discovered on the Katanga's bed to this pistol.
Perhaps the most significant part of his testimony involved the detection of gunshot residue. Kasawali confirmed that gunpowder residue was found on the swabs taken from Molly Katanga's left hand, a Kitengi dress recovered from the master bedroom, the maroon and white dress worn by their daughter, Patricia, and from the gunshot wounds on Henry Katanga's left ear.
The black pistol, along with the bullet suspected to have killed Henry Katanga, was presented and displayed in court as evidence.
Kasawali's testimony continues to form a central part of the prosecution's case, painting a clear forensic link between Molly Katanga and the weapon used in the murder of her husband.
As the trial progresses, the public eagerly awaits further developments in this high-stakes case.
