THE GUN: Defence lawyers discuss the gun and ballastics during the trial FILE PHOTO 2025 SPECIAL REPORT | ANTHONY NATIF | As recorded in court, in the case Uganda Vs Molly Katanga and adapted from @TonyNatif on X. **** Justice Rosette Comfort Kania has rejected the prosecution’s attempts to block defense witnesses, citing fair trial considerations under the constitution of the republic. The prosecution had sought to block Mrs Katanga calling a ballistics expert, a gunshot residue expert and another witness, saying that the time for disclosure had long passed.
The defense, relying on article 28 of the constitution, said stopping Mrs Katanga from calling and or causing the attendance of witnesses of her choice would prejudice her case, yet she’s facing charges whose maximum penalty is death. You might recall that the trial judge partly relied on prosecution ballistics and GSR experts to find that Mrs Katanga had a case to answer. Mrs Katanga sought leave of court to present her own ballistics and GSR experts to challenge the prosecution’s evidence on the court record.
Justice Rosette Kania agreed with her but gave some conditions as to the limits of the evidence they should give. It should not merely be a repetition of defense evidence already on record. (See attached video) UgandaVsMollyKatanga Justice Rosette Comfort Kania has rejected the prosecution’s attempts to block defense witnesses, citing fair trial considerations under the constitution of the republic.
The defense brought their 5th witness, a photographer who took images at the Katanga residence. The prosecution said they weren’t ready for the witness because he and his evidence hadn’t been formally disclosed. Justice Kania, reasoning that the two sets of lawyers risked having their arguments degenerate into a nasty public spectacle, invited them to her chambers to address the issue.
The matter will resume on Thursday with further cross-examination of DW3, the orthopaedic surgeon who worked on Mrs Katanga. DW5 will be called to the stand at a later date after the state has had time to review images that they’d earlier denied receiving, despi…
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