Politics 19 March 2026 Howwe Entertainment
Attorney General Recommends Flexible Rules for Forensic Labs in New Bill
Uganda's Attorney General has advised against tight 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 to address oversight gaps. Government officials defended the approach during parliamentary scrutiny, emphasizing independence and the need for confirmatory tests in court. Source: https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/42662/attorney-general-advises-against-strict-restrictions-on-analytical-labs
The government is pushing back against calls for stricter controls in the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Bill, 2025, opting instead for a licensing framework that includes private labs. This comes after concerns from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions about risks to evidence integrity.
During a Defence and Internal Affairs Committee session on March 19, 2026, chaired by Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, Internal Affairs Minister Gen. David Muhoozi shared advice from Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka. The AG highlighted that many private labs already operate without regulation, advocating for labs to function independently without external direction.
Lawmakers like Bukooli Island County MP Hon. Peter Okeyoh argued that limiting services to government labs could violate fair trial rights, as defendants might need independent confirmatory tests. The Solicitor General echoed this, noting courts often require second opinions.
To avoid overlaps, the AG clarified that the Ministry’s Department of Inspection and Legal Services would regulate labs but not interfere in police or prosecution-led investigations. International accreditation was deemed 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, focusing on coordination. A new forensic database will supplement, not duplicate, existing systems like biometrics.
This revised legislation follows the withdrawal of the 2024 Forensic Evidence Bill due to needed changes.
Source: Howwe Entertainment