KAMPALA-On Tuesday, High Court judge Isaac Muwata dismissed the bail application which was filed by Molly Katanga’s lawyers for their client to be released on bail pending hearing of her murder case.
Molly Katanga in court (Courtesy photo)
Molly Katanga is accused of murdering her husband (businessman) Henry Katanga in November 2023 ,at their home in Mbuya 1, Mbuya Hill village, Nakawa-Division, Kampala District.
On 24th January 2023, she was arraigned before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, charged and later on committed to High Court for trial.
In applying for bail, through her lawyers, she informed court that, the offence against her is bail able before the High court, she is still presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
“Prior to being committed to the High Court and to her being remanded to Luzira Women’s prison, the applicant had spent over two months at C-Care IHK Hospital where she was receiving specialized treatment and underwent 5 major surgeries to her scalp and her hands to address the injuries she sustained on the 2nd of November 2023.”Lawyers submitted
That as a result of the above condition, the applicant deserves to have access to Specialized treatment and supervision which she cannot easily access while in prison.
“The applicant has substantial sureties that will ensure her court attendance at all material times as well as her compliance with the bail terms that shall be set by this honorable court.”
That Molly is a law abiding Citizen who has never been charged of any criminal offence before, has substantial sureties to guarantee her presence in court wherever required and she has a fixed place of abode under the jurisdiction of Court.
She also brought it to the attention of court that she is a sole bread winner of her family which consists of a tender aged child.
In his ruling after considering the submissions of both the applicants and the state Prosecution, Justice Muwata noted that there is no likelihood of delaying justice since the applicant has been already committed to High court and the matter has already been fixed for hearing.
“Having considered all the circumstances of this case and in view of all the foregoing, it is my considered view that the application for bail is denied. The ends of justice would instead be best served by hearing the main case.” Ruled court
The judge also pointed out that although the applicant’s lawyers had informed court of her health condition, she was later examined by Doctors at Mulago National Referral hospital and they didn’t recommend that her situation cannot be managed by the prisons facility.
“Further that medical officer must certify that the condition of the accused person cannot be managed in prison. I have perused all the medical reports on record and there is no such evidence. Accordingly, in the absence of any certification from the prisons that her condition is grave and cannot be managed while she’s in prison, this ground cannot not succeed.”
In February this year , High court in Kampala released on bail two sisters Patricia Kankwanzi and Martha Nkwanzi (Katanga’s Daughters) who were charged with Destroying valuable evidence that would prove the murder of their father Henry Katanga before court .
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