The Government has warned researchers/publishers against publishing research findings without validation from competent agencies and institutions.

The warning was sounded by gender state minister Peace Mutuuzo who was represented by principal gerontologist, Patrick Menya.

The minister argued that some of the research findings are misrepresenting and sometimes alarm the public.

“I observe that some of our researchers are in the habit of publishing policy research without subjecting it to validation by the relevant sectors of government and scholars. How I wish publishing houses would demand authors to submit feedback from study populations before their work is published,” Mutuuzo said in her speech read by Menya.

She pointed out that some of the findings end up for policy formulations which is why it is critical not to let anyone publish work without validation.

Patrick Menya principal gerontologist at gender ministry addressing participants during the public policy dialogue at Uganda Management Institute on November 28, 2023. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The minister made remarks during the public dialogue on ethics in the use of emerging medical technologies for DNA testing in Uganda at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) in Kampala on Tuesday.

The dialogue was organised by the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM) and attracted scientists, members of civil society and academia.

Mutuuzo appealed to scholars and high institutions of learning to establish research validation centres to ensure any work released by researchers is validated first before publishing.

“For local publications like UMI's Ugandan Journal of Management and Public Policy Studies, I suggest that you make study population feedback a requirement because research is considered gospel truth when published and could be damaging if it is erroneous, biased or misrepresenting data,” she said.

She commended UMI, the Uganda Policy Development Management Forum and the Cabinet Secretariat for the initiative of public dialogue to facilitate national policy formulation through an elaborate process that engages academia, technocrats, civil society organisations and the general public in dissection of topical policy matters in the country.

“This engagement in my view enables stakeholders to scrutinise the policy suggestions early enough to minimise error and save resources that would have been spent on modifications at levels of submission,” she said.

The deputy secretary general of UNATCOM, Dr Dominic Mundrugo-Ogo Lali appealed to the Government to endeavour to protect the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of human genetic data linked to an identifiable person, family or, appropriate group in accordance with domestic law consistent with the international law of human rights.

Calls for a DNA testing policy

Dr Frederick Nakwagala, the head of internal medicine at Mulago Hospital, observed that Uganda lags way behind in formulating policies, guidelines and rules for managing genetic testing.

He appealed to the Government and other stakeholders to make concerted efforts to formulate the DNA testing policy.

“Every effort should be made in this regard,” Nakwagala stated.

DNA contains all the genetic info that is passed on to the next generation, thus determining heredity!

The director of finance at UMI, Prof John Nakabago, informed guests that the institute decided to raise policy discussion around DNA testing considering the threat of social upheaval it poses to Uganda if it is not well guided.

“As you may have heard or witnessed at a personal level, DNA testing can cause family and community disintegration if it is not well managed,” Nakabago said.

He pointed out that as the demand for DNA testing rises, the technology may be abused to the disadvantage of the affected individuals, especially the children.

He added that it is also possible to have a social conflict between the families of the affected individuals and become a security threat at the community level.