Defence Lawyers Use Luzira Visitors Book to Pin DPP, Nyangweso of Coercing Suspect
Initially, Amanyire had shared his account of events, which reportedly described Molly being tortured by her husband.
The defence team representing Molly Katanga has accused prosecution witness Naome Nyangweso of leading efforts to coerce a key witness, George Amanyire, into implicating Molly and her daughters in the murder of her husband, Henry Katanga.
During today's proceedings, defense lawyer John Jet Tumwebaze alleged that Nyangweso, alongside former Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Wilber Tworekirwe, and lawyer Lesta Kaganzi, visited Amanyire at Kigo Prison in February 2024.
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They are accused of pressuring him to revise his statement to implicate Molly in the murder.
According to Tumwebaze, the group arrived at the prison within a two-minute interval and signed in together. Nyangweso allegedly promised Amanyire freedom if he implicated Molly, claiming she had treated him like a son after employing him for six years.
Initially, Amanyire had shared his account of events, which reportedly described Molly being tortured by her husband.
However, the defense claims that Nyangweso threatened Amanyire, warning him he would "rot in prison" if he did not change his testimony.
The defense further alleged that Nyangweso brought detectives to hear Amanyire’s version of events.
When he refused to revise his statement, Nyangweso allegedly gave him one night to reconsider and encouraged him to implicate Molly for shooting Henry Katanga, promising his release within hours.
Tumwebaze presented a letter from Kigo Prison, signed by Assistant Superintendent of Prison Justine Eyilu, confirming the visit. He argued that these visits were designed to pressure Amanyire into testifying against Molly.
The defense maintains that Henry Katanga's death was a case of domestic violence leading to suicide, not murder.
Amanyire’s testimony also detailed an incident where he saw Molly crawling out of the bedroom, injured and asking for help. He was reportedly told to leave the scene, after which Molly was later assisted by her daughters before being taken to a vehicle.
The defense attempted to submit court orders and letters from Uganda Prison Services as exhibits, showing records of Amanyire's prison visits.
However, prosecutor Jonathan Muwaganya raised objections, questioning the documents' relevance and authenticity, arguing that they did not directly involve the witness under cross-examination.
Defense lawyer Elison Karuhanga countered, asserting that the court order, issued by the Chief Magistrate Court at Kajjansi, was genuine and should be accepted as evidence.
Karuhanga accused the prosecution of obstructing justice by blocking its submission.
Judge Isaac Muwata is expected to rule on the matter tomorrow, October 17, 2024.
