Aceng: Only 2 Laboratories Authorised to Conduct DNA Paternity Tests

The government has said only two laboratories are allowed to conduct DNA paternity tests in Uganda, Chimp Corps report.

“Only two main laboratories have been nationally and internationally certified and accredited to run DNA paternity testing for now,” said Health Minister Jane Aceng in a press conference on Monday evening.

“These are the Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) in Wandegeya and MBN Clinical Laboratories on Nakasero Road, both in Kampala,” said Aceng.

The Minister said “the equipment, technologies and reagents being used for DNA Paternity testing within the two certified laboratories (GAL and MBN) are validated and found to be of sound standards, and this was part of the basis for their certification and /or international accreditation.”

The development comes after many men were left devastated after finding out that the children they were providing for and educating were not theirs.

A Ugandan man working in Europe was recently left in shock after DNA tests showed that all 6 children were not his. He immediately applied for the cancellation of the children’s passports and filed for divorce with his wife.

Simon Peter Mundeyi, the Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, recently revealed that dozens of men were locking the Ministry of Internal Affairs with pieces of hair from their children for DNA tests but had been advised to take the children to the Government Analytical Laboratory -DGAL.

Mundeyi also revealed that at least 32 men had written to the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) demanding the cancellation of children’s passports after DNA testing showed they were not the biological fathers.

The DNA saga has since attracted local and international media attention, with activists saying the affected children were at risk of being abandoned or harmed.

Restrictions 

Aceng today said no laboratories and clinics shall be allowed to collect samples for DNA paternity testing unless they have agreements with the laboratory to which they send samples for testing and the testing Laboratory takes full accountability for the results.

Aceng said the Ministry of Health is aware that several laboratories have come out purporting to do DNA partnering testing, whereas they only collect samples and ship them for testing elsewhere, either within or outside Uganda.

“No Laboratory or any facility shall ship any samples for DNA paternity testing outside the country except with special clearance from the Director General of Health Services and/ or Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST),” the Minister emphasised.

She said, “Any Laboratory that is prepared and wants to do DNA paternity testing can apply to the Director General of Health Services who will set up a team of experts to assess the Laboratory for certification.”

Aceng also warned about the presence of fake rapid DNA test kits on the market.

She has since asked the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to ensure the fake test kits and fake laboratory supplies are not allowed into the country.

DNA paternity testing has been ongoing in the country for close to 20 years.

It is also routinely used to resolve paternity and kinship disputes.

However, said Aceng, social media reports of child neglect, homicide, and even suicide following the issuance of negative paternity tests have created the impression of a DNA paternity testing crisis in the country.

“As a result, the public has gone further to question the validity and integrity of DNA paternity testing results, and the credibility of the persons and laboratories conducting the tests,” she observed, justifying the government’s intervention.

Aceng said in the long run, the government will develop and implement guidelines to streamline DNA paternity testing to ensure quality, legal, ethical, and professional practices are adhered to; and psychosocial structures are available to support the pre- and post-DNA-test counseling service.

The government will also support fast-tracking the enactment of the DNA evidence and database Bill proposed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to the Health Minister.