Lawyers claim DNA evidence against Molly Katanga was conducted from unaccredited forensic lab

KAMPALA — Defense lawyers representing Molly Katanga, the widow of slain businessman Henry Katanga, have revealed that the DNA evidence used against her was conducted by a forensic lab that is not accredited.

During a heavy cross-examination of the prosecution’s key witness, Assistant Commissioner of Police Andrew Mubiru, defense lawyer Ellison Karuhanga revealed that the lab that conducted the DNA analysis is not certified to international standards.

Karuhanga questioned Mubiru about the lab’s accreditation, pointing out that the lab’s own report stated that it was not yet ISO certified.

Mubiru admitted that the lab was not certified, but claimed that it was in the process of obtaining accreditation.

“So your results are unreliable,” Karuhanga said, to which Mubiru responded, “Those are his words.”

Karuhanga argued that this lack of accreditation raises serious questions about the reliability of the DNA evidence presented by the prosecution.

“I put it to you that the reason why your lab was chosen, as opposed to the lab that is supposed to do your work, is because your lab is not independent,” he urged.

Karuhanga also accused the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of colluding with an unaccredited forensic lab to manipulate DNA evidence against the Ms. Katanga.

Karuhanga also alleged that the DPP had a hand in the lab’s questionable practices.

Karuhanga pointed out that the lab’s report stated that it was not yet ISO certified, and that the lab’s director was not a government chemist.

He also highlighted inconsistencies in the lab’s procedures and questioned the reliability of the DNA evidence presented by the prosecution.

Mubiru denied any wrongdoing, but Karuhanga pressed on, suggesting that the DPP had connived with the lab to “cook” results against Katanga.

“I put it to you that the editing of results, selective swabbing of samples, was to manufacture evidence against the widow and the orphans,” Karuhanga said.

The defense team also revealed that the lab had been operating without proper accreditation since 2023, and that the DPP had been aware of this but had chosen to work with them anyway.