Katanga daughters granted bail

Each sister has been required to post a Shs2 million cash bail, with their sureties signing a Shs20 million non-cash bond as a guarantee of their court return when summoned.

The sisters face travel restrictions, including a prohibition from leaving the nation without court approval and a mandate to sign in at the High Court's criminal registry on the first Monday of each month, starting March 4, 2024.

This decision came after the court was satisfied with the credibility of the sureties and maintained the principle that the accused are innocent until proven guilty. The completion of the investigation also diminished the worry over potential witness tampering.

The consideration for bail also took into account the length of time Nkwanzi and Kakwanza had been in custody since November 21, 2023, and their personal circumstances — Nkwanzi's role as a breastfeeding mother and Kakwanza's health issues.

The accusations against the sisters involve the alleged destruction or concealment of crucial evidence linked to their father Henry Katanga's murder case.

Following their father’s murder on November 2, 2023, at their residence on Chwa II Road in the Mbuya-Nakawa division, Nkwanzi and Kakwanza were detained alongside their mother, Molly Katanga.

They, along with their shamba boy George Amanyire and Charles Otai, a medical professional from Bugolobi Medical Hospital, have been charged as accessories to the murder.

Furthermore, the defense team, consisting of lawyers Jet Tumwebaze, Elly Karuhanga, and Macdusman Kabega, expressed concerns over alleged unethical practices by State Attorneys.

They accused Jonathan Muwaganya and his team of coercing the shamba boy, Amanyire, in Luzira prison into altering his statement to incriminate the co-accused.