Politics 22 March 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
ODPP and Police Oppose Key Provisions in Uganda's Proposed Forensic Bill
Uganda's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Police Force have flagged issues with the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Bill, 2025, citing risks of institutional overlaps and delays in criminal justice. They argue it duplicates existing laws and undermines specialized agency functions. Source: https://observer.ug/news/dpp-police-raise-concerns-over-proposed-forensic-law
The proposed Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Bill, 2025, from the Ministry of Internal Affairs aims to bolster forensic evidence use in investigations through regulated labs and national databases for DNA, toxicology, and cyber forensics. It positions the Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) as the central referral hub.
Supporters say this would streamline suspect identification, cut mass arrests, and accelerate prosecutions. Yet, the ODPP and Uganda Police Force warn of conflicts with their constitutional mandates under Article 212(c) and the Police Act.
John Baptist Asiimwe, representing the DPP, highlighted that laws like the Identification of Offenders Act already cover suspect profiling. Police forensic director Andrew Mubiru called for harmonization to avoid crippling other institutions.
Critics fear the new Department of Inspection and Legal Services would add bureaucracy, duplicating oversight and sparking power struggles. They note existing frameworks in acts governing police, allied health, and more already regulate forensics.
The ODPP lists specialized labs at agencies including UNBS, NDA, NARO, NEMA, UWA, URA, and others that could be undermined by centralizing services at GAL. Concerns also include potential invalidation of past GAL reports if restructured under Internal Affairs.
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka countered that prior GAL outputs would stay legally valid. GAL director Kepher Kachuna Kateu was unavailable for comment.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)