Katanga Case: Forensic expert details scruffy crime scene, two new DNA profiles
Andrew Kizimula Mubiru, the police's acting forensic director and the eighth prosecution witness, continued his testimony today by presenting the results of the DNA analysis on the exhibits that were forwarded to the laboratory by the police during their investigation.
A forensic expert has told the High Court that examination of the pistol believed to have used in the alleged murder of Henry Katanga returned positive DNA of his widow, Molly Katanga, the deceased himself, and one of their daughters, Patricia Kakwanzi.
According to the scientific evidence, Molly Katanga’s DNA was dominant on the weapon, although no fingerprints were detected, while the DNA of the deceased and their daughter appeared in smaller amounts.
The pistol, however, has not yet been brought to court as it is currently undergoing ballistic analysis.
Andrew Kizimula Mubiru, the police's acting forensic director and the eighth prosecution witness, continued his testimony today by presenting the results of the DNA analysis on the exhibits that were forwarded to the laboratory by the police during their investigation.
Mubiru testified that blood samples recovered from key areas of the house—including door handles, the master bedroom, the balcony, and the ceiling—were predominantly from Molly Katanga.
"The forensic examination of the gun, ammunition, clothing, and other items has prominently identified the DNA of the deceased, his widow Molly Katanga, and their daughter Patricia Kakwanzi," he said.
"However, Molly Katanga’s DNA was found to be dominant."
After a domestic violence incident at the Katanga home in Mbuya on November 2 last year, Ms Katanga was taken to a nearby Bugolobi Medical Center for treatment.
Mubiru also revealed that during the forensic examination of certain exhibits from the master bedroom, two unidentified DNA profiles were discovered.
These profiles did not match any relatives of the couple.
However, Mubiru testified that the DNA was found on one of the three wooden sticks (enkoni) that were recovered from the scene and sent for analysis belonged to Molly.
During his testimony, Mubiru identified several exhibits before the court. The prosecution sought to tender both his expert report and the exhibits as evidence, but this move was contested by the defense.
The defense argued that Mubiru is not the appropriate witness to present the exhibits and insisted that the police officers who initially recovered the samples should be called to do so.
The defense lawyers further accused the prosecution of withholding vital information that had been requested, which, according to them, would have aided in the adequate representation of their client, Molly Katanga.
