HUMOR | The courtroom drama over the murder of businessman Henry Katanga has become the talk of Kampala’s legal circles. This highly publicized trial, complete with surprising testimonies and theatrical cross-examinations, is gradually unfolding into a tragicomedy of misunderstandings, vague recollections, and mysterious behavior—a saga not to be missed.

At the center of the case is Molly Katanga, accused of murdering her husband, Henry Katanga, at their home in Mbuya, Kampala, in November 2023. Molly is standing trial alongside her daughters and household helpers, who are also accused of tampering with the crime scene. The courtroom, however, seems to have transformed into something resembling a family therapy session, mixed with a detective thriller and a comedy of errors.

The most recent twist came with the testimony of Naomi Nyangweso, Henry Katanga’s sister. Naomi, who, despite being the LC1 chairperson of Bugolobi, claimed to have forgotten how to speak English in the middle of her testimony. This surprising declaration has been dubbed a cunning attempt to delay proceedings—a claim she vehemently denied. The defense—notably frustrated by Naomi’s sudden linguistic limitations—took every opportunity to point out inconsistencies in her language preferences, shifting between Runyankole and English depending on the gravity of the questions posed. “So, Naume,” defense attorney Jet Tumwebaze asked, “why have you chosen to use Runyankole in court?” Naomi’s answer was simple: she just felt more comfortable speaking it. Yet, it didn’t take long before Tumwebaze put it to her that the use of Runyankole was merely an attempt to waste the court’s time, to which Naomi protested, with a tone of bewilderment, “I don’t benefit from delaying the trial” [10].

In an equally theatrical turn of events, one witness claimed that his statement was recorded in a place called “Banana Bar & Bistro.” This led to laughter in the courtroom as he tried to explain that, as far as he knew, a “bistro” was just a restaurant. The defense wasn’t going to let this slide easily, of course, insisting on pointing out the implication that a crucial statement had been recorded in a bar at 9 pm—a detail that adds a comedic twist to an otherwise grim murder trial [10].

The prosecution has also faced its fair share of credibility issues. One of the prosecution’s key witnesses, Mugabe Ronald Ruranga, was exposed under cross-examination as lacking a valid practicing certificate, despite identifying himself as Katanga’s lawyer. His credibility as a witness was further eroded by his inability to produce any supporting documentation of his professional qualifications [13]. Such fumbling has not helped build confidence in the evidence presented by the prosecution.

The accusations against Molly Katanga stem from her alleged role in a deadly domestic altercation. On the day of the incident, a physical fight allegedly broke out between the couple, followed by a gunshot that ended Henry Katanga’s life. Molly has consistently maintained her innocence, even as the prosecution portrayed her as a dangerous individual who had not only tapped Katanga’s phones but also trailed his vehicle prior to his death. Naome Nyangweso testified that Henry had confided in her about his fears of Molly, adding an extra layer of tension to the narrative of domestic unrest [11][12].

To add to the plot twists, a former house help, George Amanyire, testified about witnessing an altercation between the couple on the fateful night. However, the circumstances of his testimony—full of memory lapses and hesitant answers—only raised more questions than they answered. Adding to the melodrama, Molly herself, injured and in a wheelchair, has appeared in court to witness the slew of accusations brought against her, with her daughters at her side, all accused of covering up evidence [13].

Despite the grim nature of the charges, the courtroom proceedings have been filled with moments that are almost sitcom-worthy: from quarrels about language preference to questioning the validity of “bar-side statements.” It’s a courtroom dance that combines all the emotional weight of a tragedy with occasional flashes of absurdity—a dance that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats, not knowing what to expect next. One can’t help but feel that the true essence of this trial lies less in the evidence and more in the human elements at play—the fears, the forgotten English, the mysterious wills, the bar statements, and the family secrets—all of which blend together to tell a story both captivating and utterly tragic. Will Molly Katanga and her daughters be found guilty of these serious charges, or will the twists and turns lead to an unexpected outcome? Only time—and perhaps a few more dramatic courtroom sessions—will tell.