news 29 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
DNA Evidence Insufficient to Prove Molly Katanga Fired Gun, Expert Tells Court
A British forensic DNA expert testified that the prosecution's reliance on DNA found on a pistol is insufficient to prove Molly Katanga fired the weapon that killed her husband, Henry Katanga. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/molly-katanga-defense-strongest-dna-profile-doesn-t-prove-who-fired-gun-expert-tells-court-5513532
The murder trial of prominent Ugandan businessman Henry Katanga has encountered a significant challenge with new testimony from a forensic DNA expert. Appearing for the defense, a seasoned instructor from Scotland, whose identity was protected by the court, stated that the DNA evidence presented by the prosecution is not legally or scientifically robust enough to conclude that Molly Katanga, the deceased’s widow, was the one who discharged the firearm.
The prosecution’s case hinges on the DNA profile found on the pistol recovered at the scene, which they argue is Molly Katanga’s dominant profile, thereby implicating her in the shooting on November 2, 2023. However, the expert directly refuted this interpretation.
She explained to the High Court that a stronger DNA profile on an item does not automatically mean it belongs to the last person who touched it. Different individuals shed DNA at varying rates, and a ‘heavy shedder’ could leave a more significant genetic trace than someone who handled the item briefly. Furthermore, she highlighted that DNA can remain viable on surfaces for extended periods, making it difficult to establish a timeline or sequence of who handled the weapon and when.
The expert criticized the police investigation, suggesting that its over-reliance on DNA profiling weakened the case. She emphasized that fingerprint analysis would have been a more appropriate investigative step to compare prints on the firearm with those of both the deceased and the accused.
The expert’s testimony faced an attempt by state prosecutors to block it, citing a lack of a work permit. However, the defense team successfully obtained the necessary immigration clearance, allowing her testimony to proceed. Molly Katanga, who maintains her innocence, remains in custody along with her daughters and other individuals facing related charges of evidence tampering and conspiracy.