CCTV footage reveals Katanga’s last moments, panic at home

The digital forensic examiner from the Uganda Police Force has presented CCTV footage before the High court, capturing the final moments of businessman Henry Katanga at his Mbuya mansion in Nakawa Division.

Detective inspector of police Enock Kanene, who retrieved and analyzed the footage as part of the police investigation, played the videos on a large screen before lady justice Rosette Kania Comfort on Wednesday.

The footage shows Katanga arriving at his residence at around 8 pm on November 1, 2023. He is seen parking his white Toyota Prado Land Cruiser and entering the main house through the kitchen door, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and blue trousers. Kanene told the court that the CCTV cameras were switched off at 7:14 am on November 2, 2023, and powered back on at 8:48 a.m., capturing scenes of panic among the domestic workers.

The footage shows the family’s shamba boy, George Amanyiire, carrying a brand-new small mattress from the boys’ quarters to the main bedroom, where Katanga’s lifeless body was laid. Amanyiire is later seen discarding a blood-stained shirt in the boys’ quarters before changing into another one.

The video also captures nursing officer Charles Otai arriving at the crime scene on a boda boda and making calls to Patricia Kakwanzi, Katanga’s daughter. Kakwanzi is among those charged with destroying evidence related to her father’s murder. Amanyiire and Otai, along with Katanga’s daughters Patricia Kakwanzi and Martha Nkwazi, are accused of being accessories to the crime by helping to tamper with evidence.

They are jointly charged with Katanga’s widow, Molly Bunanukye Katanga, who is the prime suspect, accused of shooting her husband. The footage further shows police officer Peter Ogwang as the first officer to arrive at the scene, followed by other security personnel and civilians. Before their arrival, an ambulance from A-Plus Funeral Services is seen removing Katanga’s body before more people could gather at the home.

Inside the house, the video captures the chef and relatives, including Denise Nayebare, who was staying at the residence with the accused. Some are seen mopping what the witness described as bloodstains on the floor, while others continue with their activities as if nothing had happened.

Detective Kanene also testified about a continuous exchange of phone calls between the accused on the day Katanga died. He told the court that there were multiple calls between Patricia, Martha, Denise, Amanyiire, and Otai. Martha and Patricia were in frequent communication, with Martha calling Patricia 66 times and Patricia calling Martha 46 times.

There were also calls between Denise and Martha, Patricia and Otai, as well as between Amanyiire and the other accused. All the accused persons were granted bail except Molly Katanga, who has been in jail for over 12 months. Katanga, a renowned businessman, succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head on November 2, 2023, at his residence on Mbuya Chwa II Road in Kampala.

The prosecution is led by assistant DPP Samalie Wakooli and chief state attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Annah Kiiza. Former deputy attorney general Mwesigwa Rukutana, alongside lawyers Edgar Ayebazibwe and Brian Rubaihayo, represents the interests of the deceased.

The defense team for Molly Katanga and her co-accused includes lawyers Peter Kabatsi, Macdusman Kabega, Elison Karuhanga, and John Jet Tumwebaze.