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KAMPALA - Parliament has asked the finance ministry to add the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL) shillings 34.4 billion to undertake phase two of the construction of the national DNA databank.

The full operationalisation of this data bank is expected to enhance the security of the country and improve criminal investigations, according to Kepher Kuchana Kateu, the director of DGAL.

The House recently heard that the finance ministry had provided shillings 15.7 billion out of the required 50 billion for the project, which is under the internal affairs ministry.

“A land title for DGAL was processed by the Uganda Land Commission and the architectural designs of the building were approved by KCCA [Kampala Capital City Authority]. The procurement process was undertaken during the financial year 2022/23 and the site was handed over to the contractor,” Parliament’s budget committee said in its latest report.

The report, which is on the National Budget Framework Paper for the financial year 2024/25 to 2028/29, was approved by the House with amendments on January 31, 2024.

Chaired by Kachumbala County MP Patrick Isiagi Opolot, the committee also heard that during the financial year 2024/25, the construction will be at phase two.

“However, a provision of shillings 15.7 billion has been provided out of the required 50 billion. This leaves a funding gap of shillings 34.3 billion. The committee recommends an additional 34.3 billion be provided to DGAL to undertake phase two of the DNA Data Bank construction and the rest be provided over the medium term,” Opolot said while presenting the report for approval.