Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has grilled officials from the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory over prolonged delays in conducting and releasing forensic reports, including cases linked to courts going back as far as 14 years.
The concerns were raised during responses to audit queries for the 2024/25 financial year, where officials reported handling 400–500 forensic cases weekly, largely related to domestic violence and post-election disputes.
During the session, officials from the Government Analytical Laboratory under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, led by Chief Government Chemist Kepher Kuchana Kateu, faced tough questioning over slow turnaround times for forensic reports that are critical to ongoing court proceedings.
“The report shows some of the cases related to counterfeit and suspected narcotics drugs at Old Kampala, Yumbe, Rushere, Kabwe, and Kira Road, which were filed between 2009 and 2012,” said PAC Vice Chairperson Gorreth Namugga.
In response, Chief Chemist Kepher Kuchana explained that the laboratory is overwhelmed by the influx of cases, underfunded, and has lost key experts.
“We receive between 400–500 cases weekly. Each case has a minimum of five exhibits which we must profile, and you don’t know which ones will yield positive or negative results. Some of our experts have also been sent for further training,” he said.
Committee members expressed frustration over long delays. They noted that 109 forensic cases received between 2014 and 2019 took an average of eight to eleven years to conclude.
An additional 206 cases submitted between 2020 and 2024 exceeded the 30-day benchmark, weakening the evidentiary value of reports and contributing to court backlogs.
Officials cited chronic underfunding, understaffing, and operational challenges, including the incomplete construction of laboratory premises worth Shs103 billion, accumulated arrears, and inadequate storage and transportation of forensic exhibits.
The PAC has indicated that it will continue engaging the laboratory and other government entities to ensure accountability and improve the efficiency of forensic services, which are vital for the justice system.
