Katanga Trial Breaks: Defense Raises Doubts On Prosecution’s Case

Posted by: lukwago J in Uganda news November 4, 2024

The highly publicized Katanga trial has entered a temporary recess after nearly two weeks of intense sessions. During this period, defense lawyers have pointed out potential investigative errors and successfully challenged the credibility of all ten prosecution witnesses, casting significant doubt on the prosecution’s case.

Witnesses have provided conflicting accounts, and forensic experts have disagreed on the interpretation of evidence, leading to serious concerns regarding the prosecution’s ability to secure a conviction.

The prosecution has called ten witnesses in an attempt to implicate Molly Katanga in her husband’s death, but the defense team has systematically undermined their testimony, highlighting inconsistencies.

The trial resumed on October 15, 2024, with the defense commencing cross-examination of Naome Nyangweso, the deceased’s step-sister and the ninth witness for the prosecution.

Defense attorney Peter Kabatsi informed presiding Justice Isaac Muwata that the defense was prepared to proceed despite not receiving all requested documents from the prosecution.

Language issues arose during Nyangweso’s cross-examination, where she faced rigorous questioning from defense counsel Jet Tumwebaze.

Nyangweso claimed her police statements were translated from Runyankore to English, but Tumwebaze contested this, asserting they were originally recorded in English. He pointed out her role as Local Council 1 chairperson of Bugolobi, which requires proficiency in English.

Accusations of delaying tactics

Tumwebaze accused Nyangweso of deliberately using her native language to hinder the cross-examination process. He posited that her choice of language served to slow down proceedings, challenging her to respond simply to his inquiries.

Further scrutiny revealed that Nyangweso’s statements were recorded in a bar, raising questions about their legitimacy.

Tumwebaze highlighted discrepancies in the signatures on her three statements, questioning why they appeared different despite her claiming they were all hers.

The defense suggested that Nyangweso had ulterior motives when recording her third statement, as she was aware that it would be used as evidence against Molly Katanga and the other accused. This claim added another layer of complexity to her testimony.

Missing alibis and omitted claims

During her testimony, Nyangweso claimed that her late brother, Henry Katanga, had warned her about Molly wanting to kill him.

However, Tumwebaze pointed out that this crucial allegation was absent from all her police statements. The presiding judge sought clarification on why such a significant claim was not documented.

Nyangweso insisted she couldn’t read the statements presented to her, despite Tumwebaze pressing for her to examine them.

He further challenged her assertions, noting the absence of any recorded statements regarding her brother’s alleged threats from Molly Katanga.

Tumwebaze also raised concerns about inconsistencies in Nyangweso’s statements regarding her father’s identity, identifying him as both Edwin Katanga and Arthur Katanga. This contradiction further cast doubt on her credibility.

Defense attorneys previously cast serious doubt on the forensic evidence presented by police expert Andrew Mubiru.

During cross-examination, attorney MacDusman Kabega accused Mubiru of analyzing a gun unrelated to the case, suggesting a mishandling of evidence.

Earlier in the trial, another key witness, Mugabe Ronald Ruranga, faced scrutiny regarding his legal credentials. He was found to have no legal practicing certificate, undermining his testimony and involvement in key legal documents for Henry Katanga.

Adding to the prosecution’s woes, phone technician Pierre Kajura testified that he did not know any of the accused, despite being led by prosecution counsel Anna Kizza. His lack of connection to the case raised further doubts about the prosecution’s narrative.

Police doctor disowns evidence presented

Dr. Julius Muhwezi, a police officer, testified that a police document submitted as evidence had been tampered with, distancing himself from its findings. He claimed that alterations had been made to his signature and the content of the form.

Another police officer, Peter Owang, testified inconsistencies in his statements, admitting that he might have forgotten to record crucial details regarding the incident. This admission further weakened the prosecution’s case.

Timothy Nyangweso, a presenter and church minister, testified about a conversation with Martha, the deceased’s daughter. However, the defense produced call data that contradicted his account, further complicating the prosecution’s position.

As the Katanga trial continues, the defense team’s rigorous cross-examination has exposed numerous inconsistencies and potential flaws in the prosecution’s case.

With each session, the credibility of witnesses and the validity of evidence remain under intense scrutiny, leaving the path to a conviction uncertain.

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