Uganda: Court to Rule On Whether Molly Katanga Has Case to Answer

The Criminal Division of the High Court is expected to rule today, February 26, 2026, on whether Molly Katanga has a case to answer in the murder of her husband, city businessman Henry Katanga.

The ruling, by Lady Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, marks a pivotal stage in the trial, which arises from the death of Henry Katanga on November 2, 2023.

Ms Katanga is jointly charged with her daughters Martha Katanga and Patricia Kakwanzi, shamba-boy George Amanyire, and medical practitioner Charles Otai over alleged involvement in the incident.

The prosecution formally closed its case on December 3, 2025 after presenting 25 witnesses before court.

The state team, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Samalie Wakooli and Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, called investigators, pathologists, toxicologists, scene-of-crime officers and relatives of the deceased in an effort to establish a case against the accused.

Following the close of the prosecution's case, Judge Kania directed the defence to file written submissions by December 22, 2025. The prosecution was given until January 28, 2026 to file its response.

At the time, Judge Kania had fixed February 5, 2026 for a ruling on whether the accused persons had a case to answer. However, the schedule was later affected by other Judiciary engagements, pushing the decision to today.

At this stage of proceedings, the court does not determine guilt or innocence. Instead, it assesses whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case -- meaning that the evidence on record, if left unchallenged, could sustain a conviction.

If the court finds that no prima facie case has been made out, the accused will be acquitted without being required to present a defence.

If the judge finds that there is a case to answer, Molly Katanga and her co-accused will be placed on their defence and the trial will proceed to the next phase.

Read the original article on Nile Post.