A police investigator testifying in the murder trial of businessman Henry Katanga on November 11 told the court that evidence from the scene and the nature of the gunshot wounds did not support claims that the deceased took his own life, contradicting the version initially presented by members of the family.
Detective Sergeant David Beteise, attached to the Jinja Road Police Division and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), said he was part of the team that responded to a report of an alleged suicide at the businessman’s home in Mbuya on November 2, 2023.
‘My key role in the homicide desk is to investigate criminal cases which are reported and allocated to me,’ Detective Beteise said, adding that he has served in the police for 13 years, with extensive experience in handling homicide cases.
He said on arrival at the scene, the team comprising himself, Detective ASP Bibiana Akongo and other officers was briefed by Detective Ogwanga, who had first been called. They were led into the house by Patricia and George Amanyire, before Charles Otai, who introduced himself as the family doctor, unlocked the master bedroom.
‘Upon entering, I saw the body of a male adult lying on a mattress placed on the ground and covered with a cloth. On the bed were a pistol, a cartridge, ammunition, and a projectile,’ Sgt Beteise testified.
He said Amanyire claimed that Martha and Patricia had instructed them to place the pistol and ammunition on the bed, while Otai said Patricia had earlier taken the pistol and he asked her to return it.
Sgt Beteise said they observed an entry wound on the left side of the head and an exit wound on the right, adding: ‘The entry is always small, then the exit wound is always larger.’ He told the court that the team noticed signs of cleaning at the scene.
‘There was a sign of mopping and blood stains on the ceiling. In the bathroom, there was a bucket of water mixed with blood, a mopping rag with blood, and even the toilet had blood,’ he said. ‘We established that the one mopping was Amanyire,’ he added.
Despite the blood traces, Sgt Bateise said, the room appeared otherwise orderly. Investigators also recovered a sales agreement for the house signed only by A1, Molly Katanga, with the space for the deceased’s signature left blank, an issue the team considered significant. ‘Upon looking at the scene, the alleged case of suicide was ruled out,’ he stated.
Defence lawyer Macdusman Kabega objected, arguing that the witness was expressing an opinion. But Assistant DPP Samali Wakooli said the officer’s long experience qualified him to interpret the scene.
Justice Rosette Comfort Kania allowed the testimony to continue. Detective Beteise explained that most suicide gunshot wounds are found in accessible parts like the ear, cheek, or chest, unlike in this case.
‘It is impractical for someone intending to take their life to look for a complicated point,’ he said. He added that the inconsistent statements, the hurried cleaning, and the blood evidence led investigators to treat the death as a homicide, not suicide.
The case was adjourned to November 24 for further hearing.