Naome Kashani Nyangweso, the ninth witness in the ongoing murder trial of businessman Henry Katanga, is bracing for intensified cross-examination as the High Court reconvenes today.
Despite her pivotal role as Katanga’s step-sister, Nyangweso finds herself embroiled in controversy due to inconsistencies plaguing her testimony.
Defense lawyers have raised concerns regarding Nyangweso’s decision to testify in Runyankore instead of English, a language in which she is proficient.
This choice has sparked accusations of deliberate delay tactics aimed at complicating court proceedings.
Particularly notable is the fact that Nyangweso, serving as the LC1 chairperson for Bugolobi, where English is the official language, previously provided three police statements in English.
During cross-examination, defense lawyer Jet Tumwebaze cast doubts on Nyangweso’s linguistic preference, insinuating that her alleged ignorance of English was a strategic ploy to obstruct the truth-seeking process. Nyangweso countered in Runyankole, asserting the authenticity of her previous statements.
Lack of substantiating evidence
Despite claiming prior knowledge of Henry Katanga’s peril, Nyangweso faltered under scrutiny when pressed for concrete evidence of any premonitory disclosures from Katanga himself.
The absence of such corroboration has led the defense team to question the genuineness of Nyangweso’s motives, hinting at underlying animosity towards Katanga’s widow, Molly.
Nyangweso’s admission of recording her statements in a bar post 9 p.m. has further fueled suspicions surrounding the integrity of her testimony. The defense team has pointed to this as indicative of potential ulterior motives driving her involvement in the case.
Accusations have been leveled against Naome Kashani Nyangweso, suggesting that her association with the Katanga family may be motivated by personal gain, specifically targeting a share of the estate left by her deceased brother.
Lawyer Tumwebaze has alleged that Nyangweso’s interactions with the police were strategically aimed at securing her financial interests.
Nyangweso’s responses to inquiries regarding her reaction to Katanga’s demise have come under intense scrutiny, with the defense team questioning the veracity of her claims regarding her familial ties and alleged interactions with Henry Katanga.
As Nyangweso prepares to face further questioning, the cloud of doubt surrounding her testimony looms large in the courtroom.