Officials from the Government Analytical Laboratory and the Uganda Police Forensic Services Laboratory announced the long-awaited DNA test outcomes on Thursday at the Uganda Police Headquarters in Naguru.
After years of uncertainty surrounding his paternity, testing has established that just four out of the 25 individuals who provided samples are the biological children of the late Paul Kafeero. The process followed a court order that permitted the exhumation of Kafeero’s remains to extract DNA for comparison.
The four confirmed biological children are:
- Thomas Kafeero Schwarzenegger
- Simon Peter Kafeero
- Benedicto Kafeero
- Elizabeth Nagawa
The other 21 claimants were ruled out as biological children.
The full list of those tested includes: Thomas Kafeero, Simon Peter Kafeero, John Kafeero, Benedicto Kafeero, Aroon Nagawa, Elizabeth Nagawa, Phillip, Tonny, John Mark, Meddi, Godfrey Muwanguzi, Ssendi Shafik, Katumba Eric, John Martin Kafeero, Paul Ssentongo, Kate Nalukwago, Margaret Nakafeero, Nagawa, Grace Nalukwago, Leticia Nalukwago, Rehema Namulindwa, Tana Birungio, Joan Mirembe, Noelena Ssali, and Mukiibi Kafeero.
Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara, who had launched the verification process during his earlier tenure as Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, oversaw the announcement. The revelation triggered strong emotional reactions: some individuals broke down in tears upon learning they were not biologically related to the singer, while the four confirmed children expressed joy.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Vincent Mende — Kafeero’s brother — thanked Minister Barugahara for taking up the matter. He emphasized that the goal was not to fight over property but to unite the real family so that Kafeero could finally rest in peace.
Family friend James Ssenkubuge called for calm among those who were disappointed and described the situation as a valuable lesson for other families to properly prepare for such issues before it is too late.
Minister Barugahara expressed gratitude to the Uganda Police and the Government Analytical Laboratory for their work. He assured the confirmed children of continued family support and extended the same offer to those not confirmed, noting available development programs at the Ministry of Gender. He also advised men to conduct DNA tests for their children while still alive to avoid similar difficult situations. Samples from Kafeero will remain stored in the laboratory database, allowing any future claimants to seek testing.
Andrew K. Mubiru from the Uganda Police Forensic Services Laboratory explained that the analysis followed the court-authorized exhumation. The procedure was supervised by Assistant Inspector of Police Dr. Moses Byaruhanga, with samples taken from the left and right femoral bones, hair, jaw, and skull for DNA profiling.
Following the results, Minister Barugahara urged the four confirmed children to assume responsibility for managing their late father’s estate.
Paul Kafeero, widely regarded as one of Uganda’s most celebrated Kadongo Kamu musicians, passed away in 2007. Disputes over the identity of his biological children had continued for years, eventually leading to the legal proceedings and court-approved DNA tests that have now provided clarity.
