The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Hon. David Muhoozi, has urged Parliament not to reject the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Bill, 2025. He warned that some government agencies are fighting the Bill because they fear losing their power and influence.
Speaking on 24th September 2025 during a harmonisation meeting between the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee of Parliament and officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Muhoozi said the Bill is too important to be ignored. He stressed that it will play a crucial role in strengthening the fight against crime in Uganda.
The committee had raised concerns after stakeholders pointed out that some provisions of the Bill appear to contradict existing laws. This has made the process contentious, with some MPs questioning whether the new law would cause confusion instead of solving problems.
However, Minister Muhoozi defended the Bill, saying it is necessary to create a clear legal framework for forensic and scientific services in Uganda. He explained that the law would help standardize investigations, improve evidence handling, and increase the success rate in prosecuting criminals.
He accused some agencies of resisting the Bill for selfish reasons, noting that they are worried about losing control over areas they currently dominate. According to him, this resistance is not about the law’s weaknesses but about individuals protecting their territories.
“There are agencies within government fighting to block this law, not because it is bad, but because they fear losing power. Yet this law is crucial for the fight against crime,” Muhoozi emphasized.
The Bill seeks to establish a dedicated body to manage forensic and scientific services, including DNA analysis, fingerprinting, cyber investigations, and other modern methods of crime detection. Supporters believe this will strengthen Uganda’s criminal justice system.
Members of the committee acknowledged the minister’s concerns but maintained that the Bill must be carefully reviewed to avoid contradictions with existing legislation. They said their report will reflect both the benefits and the areas that need adjustments.
If passed, the Bill will mark a big step toward modernizing crime fighting in Uganda. It is also expected to improve coordination among security agencies and reduce reliance on outdated methods of investigation.
The debate now shifts to Parliament, where MPs will decide whether to pass the Bill into law, amend it further, or reject it altogether. All eyes will be on legislators as they weigh the importance of fighting crime against the politics of protecting institutional power.
