In the unfolding drama of the Katanga murder case, a startling twist emerged as the defence attorneys representing the suspects lambasted the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for allegedly strong-arming George Amanyire into retracting his statements.
Amanyire, a key figure among the suspects embroiled in the high-stakes trial surrounding the tragic demise of businessman Henry Katanga, found himself at the center of a legal maelstrom as his legal representatives decried what they termed as “unacceptable tactics” employed by the DPP.
During a pivotal bail ruling presided over by Justice Isaac Muwata at the High Court, McDusman Kabega, leading the defence team, shed light on these concerning developments. Amidst a backdrop of legal maneuvering, four individuals implicated in tampering with evidence related to Katanga’s murder were granted bail. Among them were Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi Katanga, daughters of the deceased, Dr. Charles Otai, and the aforementioned Amanyire, a domestic worker.
Expressing a mixture of relief and frustration following the bail ruling, Jet Tumwebaze, a defence lawyer, highlighted the arduous journey to securing bail for the suspects. While acknowledging the court’s decision as a step towards justice, Tumwebaze voiced dismay over what he characterized as undue influence exerted by the DPP’s office on Amanyire. He accused the prosecution of pressuring Amanyire to alter his statements in a bid to implicate his co-accused, casting a shadow over the integrity of the legal process.
Drawing attention to the alleged coercion faced by Amanyire, Tumwebaze painted a damning picture of the DPP’s actions, describing them as “despicable” and indicative of a broader erosion of professional standards. He questioned the validity of the evidence presented by the prosecution, suggesting that their resort to coercive tactics reflected a lack of substantive proof against the accused. Undeterred by the challenges posed by the prosecution, Tumwebaze affirmed the defence team’s readiness to proceed with the trial.
In a parallel development, the defence team signaled their intent to file a bail application for Ms. Molly Katanga, identified as the prime suspect in the case, before the close of business the following day, underscoring the ongoing legal battles and the high stakes involved in the Katanga murder trial.
