Katanga Trial: Widow Blames Aponye's Shs1.5B Debt for Husband's Stress Before Death

Molly Katanga, 57, appeared in person for the first time in over a year at the High Court Criminal Division before Justice Rosette Comfort Kania. Facing murder charges over her husband Henry Katanga’s death on November 2, 2023, she has been on remand since February 2024 and previously attended via video link due to health issues.

Dressed in a blue dress and escorted by prison warders, Katanga denied any role in the shooting. She described her 32-year marriage as happy, raising four children with the gentle, introverted Henry.

In the two months before his death, she said financial pressures from his money-lending business caused severe stress and depression. Debtors failed to repay, notably the late Apollo Nyegamehe (Aponye), founder of Aponye Uganda Ltd, who died owing Shs1.5 billion without settling.

On the morning of the incident, Katanga recounted waking at 6am, tapping her husband, then being attacked with a baton in the bathroom. She shielded her head, suffering head wounds, hand injuries, dizziness, balance issues, and breast lumps.

Henry then opened the bedroom door, returned, called her name without response, declared he would kill himself, and moments later, she heard a loud bang—a gunshot to his head, which she learned from the state without seeing the body.

She attributed the attack to his mental breakdown from financial woes and untreated headaches.

Katanga is charged alongside daughters Patricia Kakwanzi and Martha Nkwanzi, shamba boy George Amanyire, and nurse Charles Otai with murder, destroying evidence, and being accessories. The court found a prima facie case, prompting their defense. Cross-examination resumes April 2.

Source: Daily Monitor