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Members of Parliament expressed concerns over the implications of the rising demand for DNA testing
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PARLIAMENT – The government has collected over UGX 500 million in DNA testing fees as Ugandans increasingly sought to confirm the paternity of their children amid a heated national debate on "paternity fraud." Kepher Kuchana, Director of the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL), disclosed this while addressing Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee during discussions on the proposed Forensic Evidence Bill, 2024.
Kefer Kuchana
Kuchana revealed that the demand for DNA tests typically spikes during the lead-up to school fees deadlines, as some fathers opt for DNA verification before committing to paying fees for children they suspect may not be theirs. “For a father and a child, with the mother absent or deceased, each test costs UGX 250,000, totaling UGX 500,000. Over three months, we witnessed a surge in DNA requests, contributing to the half-a-billion revenue. This trend repeats itself in December and January as school fees pressures mount,” Kuchana explained.
He further attributed the spike to increased awareness of DNA testing services, particularly during the paternity fraud discourse that gripped the nation earlier in the year. The Forensic Evidence Bill, 2024, currently under consideration, seeks to bolster Uganda's forensic capabilities and address legal gaps in the handling and use of forensic evidence, including DNA testing.
Members of Parliament expressed concerns over the implications of the rising demand for DNA testing, calling for the government to address the underlying issues of family trust and support mechanisms while ensuring affordable access to forensic services. The committee is expected to continue deliberations on the bill, with emphasis on balancing the growing demand for forensic services with ethical and social considerations.
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