KAMPALA — The trial of a widow and her two daughters accused of murdering Ugandan businessman Henry Katanga resumed Tuesday, with a digital forensic examiner testifying about key evidence extracted from mobile phones and a CCTV video recorder.
AIP Enock Kanene, a police digital forensic examiner, returned to the stand despite being dismissed by the defense earlier. Kanene told the High Court in Kampala that he analyzed 19 exhibits, including mobile phones and a CCTV video recorder recovered from the Katanga residence.
Kanene said he successfully extracted data from nine phones, including Samsung and iPhone devices belonging to the suspects. The extracted data included call logs, SMS messages, documents, pictures, audio recordings, WhatsApp, and Facebook data.
The examiner testified that Molly Katanga’s phone, which was received in an off-state, was successfully extracted and revealed several software upgrades and multiple user accounts, including an email account belonging to Molly Bunanukye.
Katanga’s phone, also received in an off-state, was extracted and showed no calls made on November 2, 2023, the day of his murder. However, an SMS was received on September 13, 2023.
Kanene also analyzed a phone belonging to Neon Nicholas, which was used to take images and record videos on November 2, 2023, between 7 am and 9 am. Thirteen images showed blood on the floor, and the images were taken in the bedroom, corridor, and bathroom areas.
The examiner further testified about an iPhone XR belonging to Denise Nayebare, which made several calls on November 2, 2023, starting from 6:19 am. A total of 101 phone calls were made on the day Katanga died.
The defense team, led by attorney Elison Karuhanga, had objected to the digital evidence, arguing that it was improperly seized and should be deemed inadmissible.
Molly Katanga, her daughters Patricia Kakwanza and Martha Nkwanzi, and two others – George Amanyire, a domestic worker, and Charles Otai, a nursing officer – are facing trial for their alleged roles in Henry Katanga’s murder. They have all pleaded their innocence.
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