A woman accused of killing her husband has told a Ugandan court she is innocent, as she began presenting her defence in a high-profile murder trial.
Appearing before the High Court in Kampala, Molly Katanga denied allegations that she fatally shot her husband, Henry Katanga, at their home in 2023.
Giving evidence before Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, Ms Katanga said her husband had been under significant stress linked to financial difficulties in his lending business. She told the court that some clients had failed to repay large sums of money, including a debt she claimed was owed by businessman Apollo Nyegamehe, who died in a road crash in 2023.
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She said the issue had weighed heavily on her husband.
The trial follows an earlier court ruling that there was sufficient evidence for Ms Katanga and four co-accused to answer charges related to the fatal shooting, which happened at the couple’s home in Mbuya, a suburb of Kampala.
Prosecutors have relied on circumstantial evidence, including forensic findings and the assertion that the couple were alone in the bedroom at the time of the shooting. They have also alleged interference with the crime scene after the incident.
Two of the accused are Ms Katanga’s daughters, along with a domestic worker and a nursing officer, who are alleged to have helped conceal evidence. All have denied wrongdoing.
In her testimony, Ms Katanga told the court she had no knowledge of how to use a firearm and described her 32-year marriage as peaceful.
She recounted events leading up to her husband’s death, saying he had appeared troubled the morning of the incident. She later went to pray before returning to the bedroom.
Ms Katanga alleged that her husband became violent, attacking her in the bathroom and leaving her seriously injured.
“He beat me repeatedly,” she said, adding that she was too weak to stand after the assault.
She told the court she later heard a gunshot after her husband allegedly said he intended to take his own life.
“I heard a loud bang, and then there was silence,” she said.
Ms Katanga said she crawled out of the room while bleeding and was later taken to several medical facilities, where she underwent surgery. She said she continues to suffer from long-term health complications.
She also rejected claims that she refused to cooperate with investigators, saying she was physically unable to give a statement at the time due to her injuries.
Prosecutors have asked for more time to prepare for cross-examination, and the case has been adjourned until early April.
Ms Katanga, who was present in court, was returned to custody as the trial continues.
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