KAMPALA .Like the saying goes “ the dead are not dead” remains of late Kadongo Kamu legend Prince Paul Kafeero have been exhumed for DNA sampling to resolve a paternity puzzle has existed for two decades.
The exhumation was carried out on Monday morning following a court order and marks the first scientific attempt to establish whether more than 20 people who claim to be Kafeero’s biological children are indeed related to the celebrated musician.
Announcing the development, State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi said the process represented a major breakthrough in a dispute that has divided sections of Kafeero’s family and supporters for years.
“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.
Kafeero died on 17 May 2007, at the age of 36 due to complications from kidney failure.
His untimely death was a significant loss to Uganda’s music industry, and he is remembered as a talented musician and songwriter who made a lasting impact
He was laid to rest at his ancestral grounds in Masaba, Nkokonjeru, which is located in the Kyaggwe region of Buikwe District.
The minister revealed that a team of forensic specialists led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr. Moses Byaruhanga conducted the exhumation and collected samples in accordance with established forensic procedures.
The samples will now be examined by the Government Analytical Laboratory and the Uganda Police Forensic Laboratory, institutions expected to provide conclusive DNA evidence on the competing paternity claims.
For years, uncertainty surrounding Kafeero’s descendants has fueled disagreements among family members and individuals who have publicly maintained that they are the singer’s children.
The dispute has remained unresolved largely because no scientific testing had been undertaken before now.
Kafeero, who died in 2007, is widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in Uganda’s Kadongo Kamu music tradition.
Through timeless songs such as Walumbe Zaaya, Amazzi Gaabaganda and Ddala Omukwano Gwaffe, he built a loyal following and left behind a musical legacy that continues to influence generations of artists.
Property wars
However, alongside his celebrated music career, questions over inheritance and paternity have persisted since his death.
The claims have periodically resurfaced in the media and within family circles, with some individuals seeking recognition as his biological children.
Balaam described Monday’s exercise as a critical step toward uncovering the truth and bringing closure to all parties involved.
“The family has been engaged in a prolonged dispute over this matter, and today marks a major step toward establishing the truth,” he said.
He thanked the court, family members, forensic experts and the Uganda Police Force for supporting the process, adding that he had personally facilitated the exercise in the interest of justice and family harmony.
The eventual DNA results could have far-reaching implications, not only for the individuals involved but also for any future discussions regarding Kafeero’s estate, lineage and legacy