The High Court in Kampala has blocked journalists from covering an application filed by Ms. Molly Katanga, the widow of slain businessman Henry Katanga. On June 27, Ms. Katanga sought a court order to compel the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to disclose all key evidence intended for use against her during her upcoming trial on July 2.
The application was initially scheduled to be heard in open court. However, trial Judge Isaac Muwata declined to proceed in that manner, citing concerns that other court users would not understand the case. “I will handle your case from the chambers. It is a pre-hearing, and there are people here in court. They will not understand this. Just give me 30 minutes to handle these cases then I will handle yours from the chambers,” Judge Muwata stated.
After an hour and a half of handling other cases, journalists attempting to join the state and defense lawyers in the judge’s chambers were blocked by the judge’s bodyguard, citing the judge’s orders.
Ms. Katanga, through her lawyers from Kampala Associated Advocates and Tumusiime, Kabega & Co Advocates, argued that the court had previously ordered the DPP to disclose all evidence on March 12. Despite this directive, the chief government prosecutor’s office has only made partial disclosures. Ms. Katanga claims that the documents in question are not privileged and that she is entitled to them.
The application seeks “an order for immediate, complete and full pre-trial disclosure of prosecution evidence” as listed in the appendix of the application. It was jointly filed by Ms. Katanga’s two daughters, Ms. Patricia Kakwanza and Ms. Martha Nkwanza, along with their former shamba boy, Mr. George Amanyire, and Mr. Charles Otai, the medic who allegedly first responded to the gunshot on the fateful day.
