The defense team in the Henry Katanga murder trial has accused key witness Naome Nyagweso of being a habitual liar under oath.
During cross-examination on Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Nyagweso, who says is Katanga’s half-sister, testified that she recorded her statements to the police with “pain and hatred,” seeking justice for her brother’s death.
Defense lawyer Jet Tumwebaze pointed out inconsistencies in Nyagweso’s statements. “Naome, I want to put it to you that your statement was recorded in the Banana bar over a drink,” Tumwebaze said. Nyagweso agreed but insisted she wasn’t celebrating anything to drink.
Tumwebaze highlighted that Nyagweso’s statement was recorded at Banana Bar & Bistro at 9 p.m., raising questions about the circumstances. He also accused Nyagweso of fabricating evidence—seeking to blame Ms. Katanga over her brother’s death.
“You therefore knew that your statement would be used as evidence against the suspects,” Tumwebaze said, adding: “You recorded these statements because you wanted justice.”
“Yes, my lord,” she replied.
Tumwebaze also questioned Nyagweso’s claim that she met Henry Katanga on a Monday after Patricia’s wedding. Nyagweso confirmed the meeting but struggled to provide details.
The defense team accused Nyagweso of trying to grab her late half-brother’s properties. “Let me read another statement of November 2, 2023, to you. We were born to the family of the late Arthur Katanga and Mary Katanga; that the deceased was the 6th born,” Tumwebaze said, questioning Nyagweso’s contradictory statements about her father.
Nyagweso initially stated her father was Arthur Katanga but later claimed he was Edwin Katanga. “Would I be right that you always invoke the Katanga name to get part of their wealth. Isn’t that when you presented to the police as Katanga, the sole purpose was to inherit your stepbrother’s inheritance?,” asked Tumwebaze.
“My lord, never; I have enough,” said Nyangweso denying accusations that she’s up to grab late Katanga’s property.
The defense team brought up a land dispute between late Prince John Barigye and Edwin Katanga. Tumwebaze handed Nyagweso a judgment of the land case, but she refused to read it.
She asked if she testified in that case as a daughter of Arthur Edwin Katanga. She said testified, but she was not his daughter.
“I put it to you that you lied under oath in that land case. And you are lying again now,” said Tumwebaze.
Justice Isaac Muwata warned Nyangweso against lying under oath before adjourning the case to October 15, 2024.
Molly Katanga is jointly accused with her two daughters, Kankwanzi and Nkwanzi, who face charges of tampering with the murder scene to conceal valuable evidence.
The family’s shamba boy, George Amanyire, and a nursing officer, Charles Otai, have also been charged as accessories after the fact of murder. The crime allegedly took place on November 2, 2023, in Mbuya, Chwa II, Nakawa Division, Kampala, where Molly is accused of fatally shooting her husband, Henry Katanga.
The defense team comprises lawyers Elison Karuhanga, Macdusman Kabega, Bruce Musinguzi, John Jet Tumwebaze, and Peter Kabatsi, representing all the accused.
The state is represented by assistant DPP Samalie Wakooli, chief state attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya, and Annah Kiiza.
