The multi-million shillings government analytical laboratory in Mbale is not actively utilised nearly one year after it was launched.

The Mbale analytical laboratory which is among the three regional analytical laboratories was launched in October last year by the Justice Law and order sector (JLOS) to carryout genetic analysis.

At the time if its launch it was hoped that the facility located in Maluku a kilometer from Mbale central business district was going to help the police to screen samples in crimes such as defilement.

It was also supposed to carryout poison and ballistic analysis but to date the centre lacks a genetic analyzer a machine used to detecting DNA.

The eastern Uganda police spokesperson Diana Nandawula says the unit so far only helps the police in storing samples before being transferred to the government analytical laboratory in Wandegeya, Kampala.

An official at the laboratory says the facility only carries out sampling for some test but actual analysis are done in Kampala.

The official explained that members of the public who have turned up at the facility are mostly people who want to carryout DNA tests for their children.

Ultimate Media