Another prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Molly Katanga, accused of killing her husband has contradicted himself.
Police officer Peter Owang, changed his story about the events of November 2, 2023.
Samali Wakooli, the lead prosecutor, had called Mr. Owang, a police officer attached to Bugolobi police station to testify against Mrs. Katanga, but the witness’s contradictions and omissions have created doubts about his credibility and the reliability of the testimony, defence lawyers pointed out.
Five people including Molly Katanga, her two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza; the family shamba boy, George Amanyire, and a medical practitioner, Charles Otai are facing trial.
On Wednesday, Owang testified that he received a phone call from Dr. Otai, informing him of a suicide by shooting at the scene.
He also stated that Kakwanza who was present at the scene, wanted to report the incident as an accident.
However, during cross-examination by defense lawyer macDosman Kabega, Owang contradicted his earlier statement, saying he didn’t record Patricia’s statement about reporting the incident as an accident in his initial statement.
Kabega pressed Owang to explain the discrepancy, and the witness admitted that he might have forgotten to record some details.
The defense lawyer then pointed out that Owang’s statement, made two days after the incident, omitted crucial information, including Martha’s presence at the scene..
“I received a phone call from Dr. Otai, informing me of a suicide by shooting at the scene,” Owang initially testified.
However, during cross-examination by defense lawyer Kabega, Owang contradicted his earlier statement, saying “I didn’t record Patricia’s statement about reporting the incident as an accident in my initial statement.”
Kabega pointed out that Owang’s statement, made two days after the incident, omitted crucial information, including Martha Kakwanza’s presence at the scene.
The witness’ changes in story created doubts about the prosecution’s case, potentially weakening their argument against Katanga.
“The witness’s testimony is unreliable,” Kabega argued. “They have changed their story multiple times, and their statement is full of contradictions.”
The prosecution however maintained that the witness’s statements were genuine and that any discrepancies were minor.
All accused individuals, except Molly Katanga, are currently out on bail.
The other accused individuals, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kankwanzi, face charges related to tampering with evidence and aiding and abetting the crime alongside Amanyire and Otai.
