Lawyers representing Molly Katanga, the widow of slain businessman Henry Katanga, have have accused the state of getting DNA evidence used against her from a forensic lab that is not accredited.
During cross-examination of Andrew Mubiru, a senior police officer , lawyer Ellison Karunga put it to the witness that the laboratory used to conduct DNA analysis was not certified.
He insisted that the lab's own report stated that it was not yet ISO certified, prompting Mubiru to admit to the same but noted the lab was in the process of getting accreditation.
When asked whether the results from the lab are unreliable, the prosecution witness could not deny or accept the statement.
"Those are your words," Mubiru said in response.
"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," the lawyer said.
Karuhanga also accused the DPP's of "colluding with an unaccredited forensic lab to manipulate DNA evidence "against Mrs.. Katanga.
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 insisted.
"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 said 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.