KAMPALA, UGANDA – In a shocking twist, Dr. Julius Muhwezi, a police doctor, has on Tuesday afternoon testified in the high-profile Katanga trial, distancing himself from a police form presented as evidence.
He told the court that the form had been tampered with and did not reflect his true findings.
“I can only own part B of the form. I didn’t sign the first half,” Dr. Muhwezi stated, claiming that his signature and stamp on the second half had been altered. “Where I signed was changed. What appears like 13th is not mine.”
The defense counsel, Elison Karuhanga, suggested that Dr. Muhwezi did not examine the suspects, and the form was fabricated as evidence. Dr. Muhwezi denied this, stating, “I took an oath, I examined these people. But the signature and stamp that appear on the form are not mine.”
Dr. Muhwezi’s testimony has cast doubt on the reliability of the evidence presented in court, leaving the trial’s outcome uncertain. The court will continue to hear testimony from key witnesses, as the drama unfolds in the Katanga trial.
“I can confirm that I signed and stamped the form, but the signature and stamp that appear on the form are not mine,” Dr. Muhwezi emphasized, reiterating his claim of evidence tampering.
The defense counsel pressed on, “The stamp that appears like 13th is not yours?” Dr. Muhwezi replied, “Yes. And the signature that appears on the form is not mine either.”
The dramatic turn of events has raised questions about the integrity of the investigation and the credibility of the evidence presented in court. The defense counsel suggested that the doctor did not actually examine the suspects, but Dr. Muhwezi maintained that he did. He also confirmed that Charles Otai had told him he had asthma, but was not receiving treatment.
Dr. Muhwezi: “I can confirm that I signed and stamped the form, but the signature and stamp that appear on the form are not mine.”
Elison Karuhanga (defense counsel): “You have two stamps on this form. I want to suggest to you that you didn’t examine these people.”
Dr. Muhwezi: “I took an oath, I examined these people. But the stamp that appears like 13th is not mine.”
Elison Karuhanga: “The stamp that appears like 13th is not yours?”
Dr. Muhwezi: “Yes. And the signature that appears on the form is not mine either.”
Elison Karuhanga: “So, the form has been tampered with?”
Dr. Muhwezi: “It appears to be adulterated. The stamp and signature are not mine.”
