DON’T BE CONNED: Only Two Laboratories are Allowed to Conduct DNA Tests in Uganda – Health Minister

Uganda’s government has announced that DNA tests will be limited to only two laboratories in the country, the Ministry of Health has announced as the demand for paternity tests continues to rise.

On July 10, 2023, Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng told reporters in Kampala that for the time being, only two laboratories, a government owned one and another private one will be allowed to carry out paternity tests.

Besides these two laboratories, no other labs will be allowed to conduct tests for DNA, the minister emphasized.

According to Minister Aceng, the only two main laboratories – Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) and  MBN Clinical Laboratories – allowed to carry out DNA tests “have been nationally and internationally certified and accredited to run DNA paternity testing.”

“Only the two certified/accredited Laboratories, GAL in Wandegeya and MBN Clinical Laboratory on Nakasero Road, both in Kampala, shall be allowed to do DNA paternity testing in Uganda for now,” said Minister Aceng.

“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 take full accountability for the results.”

It should be remembered that there have been reports of fake DNA tests dividing families. (Read Story Here).

Laboratories which want to conduct DNA tests have been advised to seek authorization from Director General of Health Services Dr Henry Mwebesa.

“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),” added Minister Aceng.

“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.”

In recent weeks, several wealthy men have been shocked by DNA test results. A city tycoon was left in tears after DNA tests revealed that 11 of the children he called were not his biological ones. Another rich Ugandan man working in Europe was left in premium tears after DNA results from Uganda, South Africa and Canada confirmed that he was not the biological father of all his six children. (See Details Here, There and Over There).

Meanwhile, a top Ugandan Catholic priest has left many in shock after telling men who are rushing for DNA tests to marry machines if they cannot trust their wives. (Read Story Here).

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