David Muhoozi Withdraws Forensic Evidence Bill, 2024 for Major Revisions Following Parliamentary Review

A cornerstone of the Bill was the creation of a National DNA Database to be managed by the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory.

On Wednesday, 12 February 2025, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, officially withdrew the Forensic Evidence Bill, 2024, citing the need for substantial revisions. The decision followed a detailed review and discussions with the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, which indicated that critical amendments were necessary to realign the Bill's objectives.

The Forensic Evidence Bill, 2024, initially introduced to Parliament on 26 November 2024, aimed to modernise forensic science services and streamline their application in crime investigation and prosecution. The proposed legislation sought to establish a regulatory framework for forensic practices, ensuring standardized procedures across the country.

A cornerstone of the Bill was the creation of a National DNA Database to be managed by the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory. This database would store human DNA profiles obtained through forensic analysis, with stringent measures governing access, retention, and disposal. Under the proposed framework, DNA profiles of suspects would be deleted within three years if no charges were filed or if they were acquitted. Additionally, volunteer DNA profiles would only be retained with explicit consent from the donors.

The Bill also proposed designating the Government Analytical Laboratory as the primary regulatory authority for forensic services. To enhance service accessibility, it included provisions for establishing regional forensic laboratories, thereby decentralizing forensic operations and improving response times for investigations across the nation.

In his address to Parliament, Gen. Muhoozi emphasized that the withdrawal was a strategic step to facilitate comprehensive revisions before reintroduction. "The discussions with the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs highlighted areas where substantial alignment was necessary. Implementing these changes would significantly alter the Bill's scope, hence the decision to withdraw and revise it before reintroducing it for consideration," he stated.

The government intends to reintroduce a revised version of the Forensic Evidence Bill, ensuring that it effectively supports law enforcement efforts while safeguarding citizens' rights and privacy in the application of forensic technologies.