ACCESS to justice; NEW GOVERNMENT ANALYTICAL LABORATORY HAS BEEN SET UP IN MBALE

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NEW GOVERNMENT ANALYTICAL LABORATORY HAS BEEN SET UP IN MBALE

One of the primary Justice Law and Order Sector , (JLOS) goal under SIP III is to promote the rule of law and fundamental to this goal is the establishment of justice centers across the country to ensure better delivery of justice services to the people of Uganda. A number of these centers have been constructed across the country over the last 10 years since JLOS was set up was established by government in November 1999 to carry out reforms in Uganda’s justice system. Among the facilities which have been established , is the Mbale Government Analytical Laboratory at Malukhu road opetrating under the slogan : “Go scientific for a safe and just society”. The facility which was commissioned on October 7th 2010, is run by the Government Analytical Laboratory a directorate in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The services which are provided at the laboratory according to Mr. Luke Senkatuka, a government analyst, include forensic tests as back up in ensuring national security, trans-border activities and law and order. “We are carry out statutory testing for enforcement of public health and environmental standards and regulation. We for instance carry out tests on water to ensure its good for public consumption plus pesticide residual , food and drugs tests,” he says. Other services provided at the laboratory include , DNA for parentage, toxicology, questioned documents, ballistics and tool marks identification. Franked by his colleagues Keturah Nakayenga and Francis Ogwal, Senkatuka explained that the Mbale government laboratory which serves the eastern region has a strategic objective of ensuring administration of justice through provision of forensic scientific services. “People don’t have to go to Kampala to get these services. The aim is to bring the services nearer to the people to ensure that as many Ugandans access justice. So we are here to offer specialized scientific support to regulatory and law enforcement agencies for the safety of the people living in Uganda,” he explained. Senkatuka , however regretted to note that few people are aware of the services that are being provided at the facility. “ We need to do a lot more in educating and informing the people about the availability of these services since they are intended for the public good,” he says. Among other challenges faced by the Mbale government laboratory is inadequate equipment, staffing and lack of lack of transport . “ we need a vehicle and motorcycles to access the country side. We are also not fully equipped to conduct some specific tests and this slows down the pace of administering justice ,” Senkatuka notes. He is however optimistic that since the laboratory is new with time it will be fully functional and meet JLOS overall objective of providing adequate and timely services to the people.