KAMPALA, Uganda — DNA tests conducted on individuals claiming to be children of the late Kadongo Kamu legend Paul Job Kafeero have confirmed that only four of the 25 claimants are his biological offspring, bringing closure to a family dispute that has lingered for nearly two decades.
The findings, released Thursday, stem from a court ordered forensic exercise involving DNA samples obtained from Kafeero’s exhumed remains and compared with samples collected from individuals claiming paternity ties to the celebrated musician.
The confirmed biological children are Thomas Kafeero, popularly known as Swaziniger or Schwarz (Swarz), Elizabeth Nagawa, Simon Peter Kafeero and Benedicto Kafeero, also known as Dube.
Results from the Uganda Police Forensic Laboratory were presented by Director of Forensics Andrew Mubiru and matched findings from the Government Analytical Laboratory in Wandegeya.
Kafeero’s remains were exhumed earlier this month from his burial site in Busansula Village following a court order. A team of pathologists led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr. Moses Byaruhanga collected samples in the presence of police officials and family representatives.
The DNA exercise was spearheaded by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, a longtime associate of the late musician. Speaking at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Barugahara described the results as a major step toward resolving a dispute that has divided family members for years.
“For many years, there has been uncertainty surrounding the paternity claims,” Barugahara said. “These findings provide clarity and will help bring peace to the family.”
He commended the courts, forensic experts, family members and the Uganda Police Force for their role in completing the process.
Kafeero remains one of Uganda’s most influential musicians and a towering figure in the Kadongo Kamu genre. Born on July 12, 1970, he rose from humble beginnings in Buikwe District to become one of the country’s most celebrated performers.
His international breakthrough came in 1994 when he won a gold medal at the Cairo Music Festival, earning him the nickname “Golden Boy of Africa.” His songs, including Walumbe Zaaya, Njakukwatako, Amazzi Gaabaganda and Ddala Omukwano Gwaffe, remain among the most enduring classics in Ugandan music.
Kafeero died on May 17, 2007, at Mulago Hospital after suffering complications linked to kidney failure. He was 36.
His death sparked a prolonged battle over his estate, including land holdings, property and music royalties. Over the years, numerous individuals came forward claiming to be his children, with estimates ranging from more than 20 to nearly 40 claimants at different stages of the dispute.
The DNA exercise itself was not without controversy. Several individuals who had initially presented themselves for testing reportedly failed to provide samples, while others withdrew before the process was completed. Reports indicated that some claimants disappeared before testing after allegedly receiving advice from family members.
The dispute also attracted public attention after musician Deus Ndugwa, popularly known as Grenade Official, publicly claimed to be Kafeero’s son and sought inclusion in the testing process.
The findings are expected to have significant implications for the administration of Kafeero’s estate, which has been the subject of legal proceedings in the Family Division of the High Court. Some of the confirmed children had previously been granted letters of administration and are expected to play a central role in future decisions concerning the estate and management of royalties generated by Kafeero’s music catalog.
Barugahara has also backed efforts to renovate the musician’s gravesite as part of broader initiatives aimed at preserving his legacy.
For many family members, the DNA results bring long awaited certainty after years of speculation, legal battles and competing claims. Beyond the Kafeero family, the case highlights the growing role of forensic science in resolving inheritance disputes and underscores the challenges that often emerge when prominent public figures leave behind valuable estates and unresolved questions of succession.
Nearly 19 years after his death, the scientific findings may finally allow Kafeero’s family and admirers to shift their focus from conflict to preserving the legacy of one of Uganda’s most revered musical icons.
