In a riveting session at the High Court, presided over by Justice Isaac Muwata, crucial eyewitness testimony was presented in the ongoing murder trial of prominent businessman Henry Katanga.
Ronald Mugabe Rulanga, a close friend and business associate of the late Katanga, took the stand on Monday, providing a detailed account of the events surrounding Katanga’s death.
Mugabe, an advocate with Agaba and Company Advocates, described his long-standing relationship with Katanga, emphasizing their business dealings and friendship. “He was a money lender, and I would draft all his agreements. I would also make some of his sale agreements and transfers. Our offices were on the same floor at Uganda Cooperative Alliance on Nkrumah Road,” Mugabe testified.
According to Mugabe, the day Katanga was murdered, he was set to write his will, suggesting Katanga might have been aware of imminent danger.
Mugabe recounted receiving a call from Katanga on October 30, 2023, requesting a meeting to hand over some documents. Due to prior engagements, Mugabe was unable to meet Katanga, who subsequently left the documents at Mugabe’s office. “On 2nd November, 2023, I was supposed to meet him at 10 am, but he failed to show up. At 12 noon, I received a phone call telling me Katanga was dead,” Mugabe said.
Fearing for Katanga’s possessions, Mugabe added a second padlock to Katanga’s office following his death. Police investigators later retrieved 21 million Ugandan Shillings, other currencies, and various transfer forms from Katanga’s office. Mugabe explained he had attended a mass to honor Katanga and missed signing the form early.
Mugabe also shared that Katanga’s sister, Naome Nyangwesho, had informed him that Katanga wanted to make a will. “I presented the documents to her, but missed out on the fact that among them were land titles and other important documents,” he admitted.
During cross-examination by the defense team, led by MC Dusman Kabega, Mugabe faced tough questioning regarding his credibility. Kabega presented a letter from the Chief Registrar, claiming Mugabe does not appear in the records as an advocate. Mugabe countered, “I have a letter permitting me to practice law, registered under Ronald Mugabe.”
The defense further challenged Mugabe’s credibility by pointing out inconsistencies, including his incorrect statement on the number of days in August and the absence of his name on any sale documents and agreements between Katanga and his clients. Mugabe responded, “Katanga had many lawyers, and the documents with my signature are in my office.”
Prosecutor Jonathan Muwaganya countered the defense’s claims, stating, “The witness on the stand isn’t the author of the letter, and there’s no background to establish a nexus between the witness and the letter. Let the defense bring the Chief Registrar to testify.”
The testimony, initially expected to strengthen the prosecution’s case, led to further adjournment. The next witness, Naome Nyangwesho, Katanga’s sister, is scheduled to give her account on August 20, 2024, with a Runyankole-Rukiga translator present.
Henry Katanga was found dead in his marital bedroom in Mbuya, a Kampala suburb, last November. Beside his body was his wife, Molly, reportedly unconscious. The state accused Molly of murder and her daughters and househelp of tampering with evidence.
Justice Muwata’s court adjourned until the next hearing, as the trial continues to unravel the complex details surrounding Henry Katanga’s tragic death.
