A long-running paternity dispute involving more than 20 individuals claiming to be children of the late Ugandan music legend Prince Paul Kafeero has entered a decisive phase following the exhumation of his remains for DNA sampling.
The exercise was carried out on Monday under a court order, marking a major breakthrough in a case that has remained unresolved for over 20 years.
According to outgoing State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara, the exhumation is expected to pave the way for scientific verification of the claims made by more than 20 young people who allege that Kafeero was their biological father.
“As I prepare to hand over the Youth and Children Affairs docket soon, I wish to inform the public that the long-standing paternity dispute involving over 20 young people allegedly fathered by my friend, the late Prince Paul Kafeero, will soon be resolved,” Balaam said in a statement.
He described the exhumation as a significant step toward uncovering the truth and bringing closure to a dispute that has divided sections of the singer’s family for decades.
The exercise was conducted by a team of pathologists led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr. Byaruhanga. Authorities said the process followed established forensic procedures and was carried out in accordance with the court directive.
Samples collected from Kafeero’s remains will now be analyzed by the Government Analytical Laboratory and the Uganda Police Forensic Laboratory. The DNA results are expected to provide conclusive evidence regarding the paternity claims.
Balaam thanked the court, members of Kafeero’s family, the forensic experts and the Uganda Police Force for facilitating the process. He also revealed that he personally financed the exercise, saying it was necessary in the interest of justice, truth and family harmony.
The late Kafeero remains one of Uganda’s most celebrated musicians, remembered for a string of popular songs that earned him a lasting place in the country’s music history. Since his death, questions surrounding his estate and the identity of his biological children have periodically resurfaced, fueling disputes among relatives and claimants.
With DNA testing now underway, many observers believe the results could finally settle one of the most talked-about family controversies involving a Ugandan cultural icon.
