Pathologist: Katanga was shot dead, bullet entered head 7cm below vertex

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A pathologist from the Kampala Capital City Mortuary in Mulago, Dr. Richard Ambayo told the High Court in Kampala that the late Henry Katanga died after a gunshot.

Dr Richard Ambayo was the seventh prosecution witness in the trial of Molly Katanga who is alleged to have murdered her husband Henry Katanga. Ambayo made the testimony before the Criminal Division Judge, Isaac Muwata.

In his testimony, Dr. Ambayo, who performed the post-mortem examination on Henry Katanga’s body, revealed graphic details of the autopsy report.

He stated that he received the body on November 2nd, 2023, accompanied by a police form 48B and 48A, requesting a medical doctor to perform a post-mortem examination.

Dr. Ambayo told the Court that he was informed by his colleague, Dr. Male Mutumba about the body of Henry Katanga. He said held a short meeting before beginning the examination.

He further told the court that they were joined by a scene of crime officer, police liaison officers, and other mortuary attendants.

Dr. Ambayo said he and Dr. Mutumba examined the body, observing that Katanga was an adult male, well-nourished, and measured 182 centimeters in length.

Dr Ambayo said the deceased Katanga had a linear surgical scar on his left buttocks and a traumatic scar on his right leg.

He narrated that Katanga’s body was wrapped in a mattress cover with orange and pink colors and he was wearing two pairs of boxers and his upper body was bare, with short-sized hair on the scalp and a short trimmed grey mustache.

According to Dr. Ambayo,  Katanga’s body was cold and stiff. He indicated that the stiffening of the body’s muscles is due to chemical changes that happen to the body after death.

He narrated that he observed clotted blood on the face, shoulders, and arms, as well as oozing blood from Katanga’s nose and left ear.

He said the examination revealed injuries on the head and central nervous system, including a bullet wound measuring 1.5 by 0.5 centimeters on the left temporal scalp.

Dr Ambayo said the bullet had entered Katanga’s head seven centimeters below the vertex and exited through the ear, causing commuted fractures and injuring his brain.

Prosecution alleges that the deceased was shot dead by his widow Molly Katanga who listened to the proceedings via Zoom link connecting to Luzira Women Wing prison where she has been on remand since early this year.

Dr Ambayo further narrated that they examined Katanga’s chest and it showed signs of early liver disease.

In his conclusion, Dr. Ambayo concluded that the cause of death was gunshot injuries.

He also noted that the nature of the injuries suggested a near-contact range gunshot, with the muzzle within 30 Centimeters of the body.

He also revealed that no bullet fragments were recovered.

It was Dr Ambayo ‘s testimony that during the examination, Dr. Ambayo and his team took various samples, including blood swabs for DNA comparison tests, vitreous humor, stomach content, bile, urine, and some parts of the liver.

He said The body was identified by Katanga’s daughter, Martha  Nkwanzi. Dr. Ambayo further presented gruesome photos of Katanga’s body parts, soaked with blood stains, to the court.

Molly Katanga is jointly charged with her two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanzi.

They are jointly facing trial as well as George Amanyire the family’s shamba boy and Charles Otai a nursing officer) for being an accessory to the murder of Katanga on November 2, 2023, and also for tampering with evidence that would have been crucial in Judicial proceedings.

Earlier on, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Samalie Wakooli expressed concerns to the Judge regarding the media’s coverage of the matter.

She alleges a deliberate scheme to sensationalize and vulgarize the trial and she cited incidents of inaccurate reporting by some media houses.

Wakooli requested that these journalists explain why they were reporting “fake stories” and wanted the Court to issue a warning to extend to their editors saying there is a collaboration in spreading misinformation.

The Judge agreed with Wakooli and warned the media against misrepresentation of the facts in the matter.

The hearing of the case continues with a cross-examination of Dr Ambayo by the lawyers who are representing the accused persons.

The lawyers are;  Peter Kabatsi, Macdusman Kabega, Bruce Musinguzi, John Jet Tumwebaze and  Elison Karuhanga.

Lawyers Mwesigwa Rukutana and Edgar Ayebazibwe represent the interests of the late Katanga’s mother.

Chief State Attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Annah Kiiza as well as assistant DPP Wakooli appear for the State.

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