Politics 19 March 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Attorney General Recommends Flexible Rules for Forensic Labs in New Bill
Uganda's Attorney General has advised against rigid restrictions on private analytical labs in the proposed Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Bill, 2025, favoring a licensing system under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Government presented this stance to Parliament amid worries over evidence integrity and regulatory overlaps. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4306/attorney-general-advises-against-strict-restrictions-analytical-labs
The government is pushing back against calls for tighter controls in the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Bill, 2025. On March 19, 2026, Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi appeared before the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, chaired by Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, and shared legal advice from Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
The Bill allows private labs to perform forensic and scientific analyses via licensing, rather than confining it to state facilities. This follows the withdrawal of the 2024 Forensic Evidence Bill, which needed major revisions.
Concerns from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions highlight risks to evidence chain of custody if private entities get involved. However, Muhoozi pointed out that many private labs already operate without oversight, and the new framework mandates independence from external control.
MPs like Hon. Peter Okeyoh from Bukooli Island County argued that limiting services to government labs could violate fair trial rights, as defendants might need independent confirmatory tests. Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha agreed, noting courts value second opinions.
On regulatory overlaps, the Attorney General limited the Department of Inspection and Legal Services’ role, keeping criminal investigations under police and ODPP. Mandatory international accreditation was rejected as voluntary, with best practices to be adopted gradually.
The Bill positions the Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) as the national referral center and National Poison Information and Control Centre for coordination. It introduces a forensic database to complement, not duplicate, existing systems like biometrics.
Source: Parliament of Uganda