No gunshot residue was found on Molly Katanga’s right hand, a police forensic expert told court on Monday, in what could become a pivotal moment in the high-profile trial over the death of her husband, Henry Katanga.
Dr Jaffar Kisitu, the 13th prosecution witness and a forensic chemist with the Uganda Police, was testifying under cross-examination by defence counsel Elison Karuhanga when he confirmed that swabs taken from Molly’s right hand either tested negative or failed to meet the criteria for gunshot residue (GSR).
He explained that while one sample contained diphenylamine (DPA) and nitroglycerine, it lacked DPA’s breakdown products—such as 2-nitro-DPA (2nDPA)—which are essential to classify a substance as true GSR. Another swab tested entirely negative.
To drive the point home, Karuhanga asked Molly to raise her right hand in court.
She did—revealing a partially amputated pinky finger, a raw and permanent reminder of the events of that fateful morning of November 2, 2022.
The room fell still.
“On that hand… no GSR… right?” Karuhanga pressed.
Dr Kisitu confirmed: none.
The defence has maintained that Molly could not have pulled the trigger given the grave injury she suffered on the fateful morning.
She was found unconscious in the family bedroom in Mbuya with fractures in both hands and underwent five lifesaving surgeries.
Her lawyers argue this is consistent with a case of domestic violence with a possible suicide—not homicide—and have challenged the prosecution to prove that Molly actually pulled the trigger.
Earlier in the trial, the defence identified contradictions in key prosecution testimonies.
One involved police officer Peter Ogwang, who admitted under cross-examination that he had omitted significant details from his initial statement, such as the presence of co-accused Martha Nkwanzi at the scene.
In another instance, phone records cast doubt on witness Naome Nyangweso’s claim that she frequently communicated with the deceased—revealing only two calls in the two months leading up to his death.
The defence has also questioned the collection of digital evidence from Molly’s devices, citing a lack of valid search warrants and possible violations of Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act.
Molly Katanga is on trial alongside her two daughters and three household staff, who face charges related to obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.
The trial continues.
