crime 1 April 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Molly Katanga Details Husband's Final Struggles and Denies Shooting Him in Court
Molly Katanga appeared in person at the High Court to reject prosecution claims that she shot her late husband Henry Katanga, describing his mounting business stress and a violent morning attack that ended in his suicide. She detailed his depression from unpaid loans and a brutal assault on her before the fatal gunshot. Source: https://observer.ug/news/molly-katanga-reveals-husbands-final-dark-battles
Molly Katanga made her first in-person courtroom appearance since her husband’s death nearly two years ago, testifying before Justice Rosette Comfort Kania at the High Court last Thursday. Previously joining proceedings via video from Luzira Prison, the widow firmly denied pulling the trigger in the November 2023 shooting at their Mbuya home.
She insisted, ‘I do not know how to operate a gun,’ countering forensic evidence cited by prosecutor Jonathan Muwaganya, including DNA on a pistol registered to Henry and gunshot residue on her hands. The court had earlier ruled that Molly and co-accused—daughters Patricia Kankwanza and Martha Katanga, doctor Charles Otai, and shamba boy George Amanyire—have a case to answer.
Katanga painted a picture of her 30-year marriage to the quiet, well-mannered businessman, with whom they raised four children. In the months before his death, Henry faced heavy stress from his money-lending business, withdrawing Shs 210 million for loans that went unpaid, including a massive Shs 1.5 billion debt from friend Apollo Nyegamehe, who died in a July 2023 accident.
The night before the incident, Henry expressed deep depression over the business. He complained of headaches but blamed stress, avoiding their family doctor. The next morning, Katanga recounted a sudden attack in the bathroom: Henry struck her head with a baton, dragged her, and slammed her against a door, causing lasting injuries shown in court—missing finger, scalp scars, and ongoing dizziness despite surgery.
She pleaded for answers but was overpowered. Henry reportedly said three times in Runyankore, ‘Yimuka’ (stand up), then declared, ‘I am going to kill myself.’ A gunshot rang out. Injured, she crawled for water before receiving treatment at clinics in Kampala Road, Bugolobi, and International Hospital Kampala.
Prosecutors challenge her account, citing the ‘last seen’ doctrine, as the couple was alone, plus evidence of scene interference like cleaned blood and moved items.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)