I Was Framed’: Molly Katanga Questions Timeline of DNA Evidence

Molly Katanga has accused investigators of building a murder case against her before forensic results were available, as the defence intensifies its attack on the credibility of the police investigation into the death of businessman Henry Katanga.

Molly Katanga on Tuesday accused police of framing her for the death of her husband, businessman Henry Katanga, telling the High Court that key claims used to charge her appeared long before the forensic results themselves existed.

During re-examination by defence lawyer MacDusman Kabega, Katanga insisted investigators had built a false case around her and maintained that the account she gave court was truthful.

“My story is true,” Katanga told the court. “What I told you is exactly what happened. I was framed.”

Katanga focused much of her criticism on the forensic evidence, especially claims relating to DNA found on the firearm recovered at the scene.

She questioned how the indictment in January 2024 could already claim that her DNA was “predominant” on the gun when, according to testimony presented before court, the DNA results only became available months later.

“Where you charge someone in January waiting for the results that will come in April — what is that?” she asked.

Her remarks drew attention to what the defence says is a major inconsistency in the timeline of the investigation.

Katanga also challenged the gunshot residue evidence, questioning how tests for gunpowder residue could have been carried out if the swabs allegedly taken from her had already been exhausted during DNA testing.

“Which DNA claims they used it? Where did the other swabs come from for gunpowder?” she asked.

She further dismissed suggestions that she wanted to take over company accounts or acquire property following her husband’s death.

Ms Katanga told court that since 2004, she had been the person operating and running the company accounts and said several of the properties mentioned during the trial were purchased by her before later being placed in their joint names.

Kabega ended the re-examination shortly after Katanga again declared her innocence.

“I was framed,” she said. “I am innocent.”

The re-examination formed part of the defence’s broader effort to challenge the credibility and reliability of the police investigation as the trial edges closer to its final stages.

The case stems from the death of Henry Katanga on November 2, 2023, at the couple’s home in Mbuya, Kampala. Prosecutors allege that Molly Katanga murdered her husband using a pistol registered in his name before attempting to stage the scene to appear as a suicide.

However, the defence has consistently argued that Henry Katanga died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a domestic confrontation and that Molly herself suffered serious injuries in the aftermath.

The case attracted widespread public attention because of the Katangas’ prominence in Uganda’s business circles and because investigators initially treated the incident as suspicious before later preferring murder charges.

Besides Molly Katanga, the prosecution also charged her daughters, Patricia Katanga and Martha Katanga, alongside domestic worker Rosette Nabbumba and nursing officer Dr Adaku Susan.

The co-accused face charges linked to allegedly destroying evidence and being accessories after the fact to murder. Prosecutors claim they interfered with the crime scene, cleaned up evidence, and attempted to help conceal the circumstances surrounding Henry Katanga’s death.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has relied heavily on forensic evidence, digital communication records, witness testimony, and postmortem findings to support its case.

The defence, however, has repeatedly attacked the integrity of the investigation, raising questions about handling of exhibits, inconsistencies in witness accounts, the timing of forensic reports, and alleged procedural irregularities during the inquiry.

The trial, one of Uganda’s most closely watched criminal proceedings in recent years, is now approaching its concluding phase, with both prosecution and defence seeking to convince court over what exactly happened inside the Katanga residence on the morning the businessman died.