DNA Testing Emerges as Tool for Health, Justice and Crime Prevention

What the report says

Nile Post reported that DNA testing is being presented by experts in Uganda as a growing tool not only for criminal investigations, but also for healthcare, justice and crime prevention. The report cited Uganda Police Force Acting Director of Forensics, ACP Andrew Mubiru, who discussed the subject on Salam TV’s Omukeze programme hosted by Salmah Namwanje.

According to the report, Mubiru said genetic testing can reveal information in a person’s DNA that may help doctors identify disease risks, investigate unexplained medical conditions and select treatments better suited to an individual. He contrasted this with routine medical tests, saying DNA-based checks focus on inherited biological information rather than only showing a person’s present health status. The report said such medical testing may use saliva or a cheek swab and is not necessarily connected to suspected wrongdoing.

Mubiru also described DNA as a major forensic tool for law enforcement, saying it can help link suspects to evidence, identify unknown victims, exonerate people who have been wrongly accused and assist in tracking repeat offenders through databases. The Nile Post article framed this as part of a broader shift in which scientific evidence is strengthening criminal justice processes.

The report also noted concerns around the wider use of genetic information, including privacy, data protection and ethical safeguards. While Mubiru argued that DNA technology remains valuable for police and medical professionals, the issues raised underline why regulation and secure handling of genetic data are important as Uganda and other countries explore more personalised healthcare and evidence-based investigations.