The murder trial of businesswoman Molly Katanga was adjourned on Friday after High Court Judge Rosette Comfort Kania walked out of court during a heated dispute over medical photographs.
The disagreement broke out as the defense presented its third witness, an orthopedic surgeon who treated Molly after the fatal shooting of her husband, businessman Henry Katanga.
Henry Katanga was shot dead at the couple’s home in Mbuya on November 2, 2023. Molly Katanga denies murdering him.
The surgeon, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, told court that he was called to the emergency unit of International Hospital Kampala, now C-Care, on the morning of the incident.
“I was told there was a patient who needed my special attention at the Emergency Unit,” the surgeon testified.
He said Molly was already receiving treatment from a neurosurgeon for serious head injuries when he arrived.
“She had a heavy bandage on her head that was being taken care of by the neurosurgeon. I was called to assess her upper limbs,” he told court.
Doctor Describes Injuries to Molly Katanga’s Hands
The orthopedic surgeon said clinical checks and X-rays showed several injuries on Molly’s hands and arms.
He testified that she had fractures to the middle and ring fingers of her left hand. He also said she had a fracture to the pinky finger of her right hand.
According to the witness, the tip of the right pinky finger was partly detached. He also noted severe soft-tissue swelling and loss of sensation in one finger.
The doctor said he operated on Molly’s hands and later prepared a medical report dated November 13, 2023. The report was admitted as evidence in the trial.
In his testimony, the surgeon described the injuries as consistent with a person trying to protect themselves during an assault.
“All the injuries are pathognomonic of defense injuries,” he said. “When somebody is facing assault, the natural reaction is to cover sensitive parts of the body. You try to defend your head as much as possible.”
He told court that most of the injuries appeared on the outer parts of Molly’s forearms and hands. He said that pattern aligned with defensive movements.
The witness also said a nurse photographed the injuries during treatment as part of the hospital’s medical records.
Prosecution Objects to Printed Photographs
The proceedings turned tense when defense lawyers attempted to have the surgeon identify printed photographs of the injuries.
Prosecutors objected. They argued that the witness could not legally identify the printouts because he had only viewed the digital copies stored in the hospital’s electronic database.
The objection triggered a prolonged exchange between prosecution and defense lawyers over the admissibility and identification of the photographs.
As the arguments escalated, Justice Kania rose from the bench and left the courtroom. Her exit brought the day’s proceedings to an abrupt end.
The judge later adjourned the case to June 23 for continuation of the defense hearing.
Trial Continues After Earlier Forensic Testimony
Friday’s courtroom dispute followed earlier testimony from retired forensic pathologist Dr. Sylvester Onzivua.
Under cross-examination, Dr. Onzivua conceded that he had not personally examined Molly Katanga’s injuries.
He also said he could not definitively establish Henry Katanga’s position when he suffered the fatal gunshot wound.
Molly Katanga faces a murder charge over the death of her husband. She has denied the charge.
Her daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza, are jointly charged with Charles Otai and George Amanyire.
The four co-accused face charges of being accessories after the fact and destroying evidence. They have also pleaded not guilty.