The High Court in Kampala has set February 21st, 2024, as the date to decide on the bail application of four suspects implicated in the murder case of businessman Henry Katanga.
The suspects, including the deceased’s daughters Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kankwanzi, along with George Amanyire and Charles Otai, appeared before Judge Isaac Muwata on Monday to present their case.
Kankwanzi and Nkwanzi provided sureties, including family members and colleagues, while Otai and Amanyire presented their wives, relatives, and acquaintances. Kankwanzi cited health issues, including hypertension and obesity, as reasons for her bail request. Nkwanzi mentioned being a new mother needing to care for her breastfeeding baby.
The prosecution, represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Samalie Wakooli and State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, opposed the bail application. The prosecution also questioned the validity of the sureties’ documents and doubted the severity of the health conditions claimed by the applicants.
While Submitting on bail, Muganya Jonathan told court that the Sureties are hired, and live in different villages unknown to the LC and Non of them is known to the LC 2, but were only introduced to him by someone called Jonan Mugarura…
He also said that this a capital trial and bail should only be considered upon satisfaction for sureties to return for trial
They argued that the suspects might flee, citing past instances where warrants were needed to secure their appearance.
Moreover, the prosecution stated that investigations were complete, and the case was committed to the High Court, indicating no backlog in Kampala’s court system. They suggested stringent bail terms if granted, such as surrendering passports and land titles, weekly reporting, and substantial financial bonds for the sureties.
The prosecution emphasized the lack of evidence for exceptional circumstances justifying bail, and they criticized the medical reports submitted, questioning the qualifications of the doctors who authored them. They contended that the medical conditions cited did not meet the legal criteria for grave illness.
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