Kampala, Uganda | The Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL) has renewed its appeal for a UGX2 billion allocation to procure specialised equipment capable of determining the actual age of individuals, citing a surge in requests from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
The request was tabled during a meeting between Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and DGAL to consider issues raised in the December 2025 Auditor General’s report.
Appearing before the committee, DGAL director Kepher Kuchana Kateu said the laboratory is grappling with an increasing number of forensic age verification cases, particularly during the ongoing national ID renewal and data update exercise.
He explained that the laboratory had formally sought parliamentary funding to acquire specialised equipment to enhance its forensic capacity, noting that the demand for age determination services has steadily grown as NIRA refers disputed cases for expert analysis.
Kateu said that in the absence of the equipment, DGAL currently relies on its Questioned Document Division to assess documents such as birth certificates, academic transcripts, school records, and baptism cards.
He noted that the process involves scientific examination of the documents, including analysis of ink and paper age, to determine their authenticity and consistency with the age declared by applicants.
However, some legislators expressed reservations about the reliance on documents such as baptism cards and academic records to establish a person’s true age.
PAC Vice Chairperson Gorreth Namugga tasked the laboratory to clarify its capacity gaps, especially in emerging forensic fields such as age determination.
She questioned how the agency handles cases where individuals dispute their age or fail to declare accurate information and sought an explanation on the laboratory’s limitations in executing its mandate.
Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa asked DGAL to specify the cost of the proposed equipment to enable Parliament to make an informed decision during the 2026/27 national budgeting process.
He emphasised that as the House enters the budgeting season, clarity on funding requirements is essential.
In response, Kateu said DGAL has consistently indicated in its recent budget submissions that it requires at least UGX2 billion to procure the age-testing machine. He added that despite repeated proposals to government, the request has remained unfunded.
The development comes at a time when government agencies are under increased scrutiny to improve service delivery and strengthen accountability, particularly in the management of national identification data.