Latest Posts

Government Issues New Guidelines For DNA Testing

The Government of Uganda through the ministry of Health has launched new guidelines for paternity testing.

The guidelines require laboratories across the country to among others, apply for accreditation to be allowed to collect samples and also have staff that includes a counsellor or clinical psychologist on the team.

The guidelines which were released on Thursday during the National Laboratory Sector Performance Review meeting also stipulate that technical staff employed by the labs should be trained specifically on DNA sample management and that their names and qualifications will have to be submitted to the ministry.

Dr Diana Atwine, permanent secretary in the ministry of Health said the guidelines come in handy to sanitize the practice considering concerns lately following a testing craze that has been seen to tear families apart.

She said as a result of the rise in demand for the service, they had started seeing some clinics advertising themselves as DNA test providers, something that has now been banned and those found promoting themselves will have their licenses automatically cancelled.

Now, while previously, some individuals have been carrying out tests secretly, the new guidelines require a user to sign consent forms which will be provided by the ministry of Health capturing key details of individuals involved.

Earlier, in July, MPs asked the government to regulate testing after several people started seeking the service following a revelation by the ministry of Internal Affairs that demand for the service had increased by over 70 per cent.

Dr Suzan Nabadda Ndidde, the executive director of the Uganda National Health Laboratory Services said they also require laboratories that have been in operation, testing for DNA to seek international accreditation with five years of operation as generally, the country is moving towards having internationally acceptable results for all tests.

Apart from DNA, she says they are moving to have more laboratories internationally accredited. Already, she reveals laboratories with international accreditation have increased to 70.

Nabadda notes that the country aims to be more self-reliant to cut down on the practice of having samples ferried abroad for more specialized testing.

Meanwhile, when it comes to transferring DNA samples abroad, the ministry will now require the facility collecting the sample to have a valid material transfer agreement, which will be approved by the Director General of Health Services.

***

URN

Loading

Don't Miss

EXPOSED! Muyenga Tycoon’s Maid Cited In Land Wrangle

In recent days, Muyenga, Y2K Zone a push Kampala suburb,

Parliament Orders Closure Of Fuelex Petrol Stations For Adulterating Fuel

The Parliamentary Committee on Trade And Industry led by Mbarara

Big Story: Parliament Probes UETCL Bosses Over Corruption, Mismanagement & Controversial UGX 28Billion Compensation Deal

Members of Parliament on the Committee on Environment and Natural

‘Back Off Buganda Land’ Kabaka Mutebi Castigates People Pushing For Abolition Of Mailo Land Tenure System

The Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has

Big Story: IGG Probes Over Shs1bn Ubos Fraud

The Inspector General of Government (IGG) is investigating top officials

EXPLOSIVE: How Speaker Kadaga & Confidant Hon. Okupa Spent Over US $764,000 (Shs2.8 BN) In-less Than 2 Years In Travels Abroad

Since taking office as Deputy Speaker of Parliament way back

Ham Vs DTB Appeal: Bank Of Uganda Runs Out Of Case, Leaves DTB To Carry Its Own Cross

Bank of Uganda has officially quit the case involving city

Amnesty International Joins Push To Free Presidential Runner Robert Kyagulanyi

The Ugandan authorities must immediately lift the police and military

Exporters Call For Strong Action Against EAC States’ Trade Barriers

Manufacturers have called on the government to impose tough measures

Big Story: How KCCA Officials Messed Up Youth Fund Programs, Stole Billions of Gov’t Funds In Shoddy Deals

Kampala: If there is any government Authority that frustrating President

I Predict Museveni, NRM Victory In 2021 Elections

By Faruk Kirunda Kampala: As we dive into the high

Crisis: Lord Mayor Lukwago Defies Court Order, Appoints Balondemu As Chairman K’la District Land Board

Veteran lawyer Hajji Elias Lukwago, who is the Kampala city

Scandal: Stanbic Bank Bosses Allegedly Steal Borrowers’ Land Titles, Mortgage Them To Dfcu Bank

Several officials at Stanbic Bank are in deep trouble after

Scandal: KCCA Officials On Spot For Blowing Shs 8Bn Under The Guise Of Renovating Old Tax Park

Several officials at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), are

Covid-19 Crisis: Ugandan Students Expected To Sit For UNEB Exams In March 2021

All indications are that a dead year will not be

BoU To Appeal In Supreme Court Over Trashed Crane Bank Case

The Bank of Uganda (BOU) has said it will be

Shame As Top Police Boss Is Convicted Of Car Theft, Ordered To Pay Over Shs282M

Untold shame has engulfed the Uganda Police a senior officer

Just In! Energy Mafias Rock Parliament As Patriotic Young Turks Question AIGP Akullo’s Involvement In Min. Energy Corruption

Panic has rocked Parliament as renowned Parliamentarian and Lawyer Hon.

Energy Mafias Debunked Part III: How Werikhe, Turyagyenda Corruptly Swindled Shs15 Bn For 3 Electricity Distribution Projects In Acholi, Bunyoro & Kiruhura

FUNDING THE COUP THROUGH ENERGY AND MINERALS CORRUPTION By the

Just In: Top Energy Officials Fired On Presidential Orders Over Massive Theft Of Electricity Distribution Funds

By Our Reporter Kampala: Two senior officials of Rural Electrification

Salary Scam Hits KCCA AS 29bn Is Paid To Ghost Workers

After Eng Andrew Kitata took over as the acting Executive

Simon Kaggwa Njala: Catholic Church’s Silence On SMACK HM Homosexuality Dents More The Church Than Aganyira

NBS Morning Breeze presenter Simon Kaggwa Njala has called upon

Two Drug Traffickers Arrested At Entebbe Airport With Narcotics

Aviation Police and sister security agencies have arrested two drug