Government, through the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL), is seeking Shs2 billion to procure specialised equipment capable of scientifically determining the age of individuals.
The funding request was presented during a meeting between Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and DGAL as legislators reviewed the December 2025 report of the Auditor General.
Kepher Kuchana Kateu, Director of DGAL, told the committee that the agency is facing increasing pressure due to a growing number of referrals from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), particularly during the ongoing renewal of national identity cards.
“We came to Parliament and requested a budget to acquire equipment to assist us in performing this forensic analysis. There are increasing numbers of cases, especially during the updating of data with NIRA, and they have been referring these cases to us for verification,” Kateu said.
He explained that in the absence of specialised equipment, DGAL currently relies on document examination to determine age.
“Because we do not have the specialised equipment, we use the questioned document division to examine birth certificates, academic documents, school records, and baptism records. We analyse these and then provide a report confirming the declared date of birth,” he said.
However, some legislators raised concerns about the reliability of relying on such documents to establish an individual’s age.
Gorreth Namugga, Vice Chairperson of PAC, questioned DGAL’s capacity gaps, particularly in emerging forensic fields.
“Can you speak to some of these inadequate capacities, especially regarding age determination? What happens in cases where individuals seek clarity and you are unable to conclusively determine the facts?” Namugga asked.
In response, Kateu defended the laboratory’s current approach, maintaining that the process remains scientific within existing limitations.
“We apply established methods of analysis to verify the authenticity of the documents presented. We then advise NIRA whether the records submitted by the applicant are genuine and consistent with the declared age,” he said.
Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa urged DGAL to clearly outline the cost of the proposed equipment to guide Parliament during the 2026/27 budgeting process.
“We need to know how much this age-determination equipment costs, especially as we move through the budgeting season,” Okupa said.
Kateu informed the committee that DGAL has consistently included the Shs2 billion request in its budget proposals over the past three financial years, but the allocation has remained unfunded.
“We have repeatedly indicated in our budget submissions that we require at least Shs2 billion for this equipment, but the request has not been approved,” he said.
If Parliament approves the funding, DGAL says the new machine will enhance its forensic capabilities and strengthen support to NIRA and other government agencies requiring scientific age verification.
