Balaam defends Kafeero DNA results after Hon Tayebwa’s doubts – Sqoop

Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara has defended the credibility of the DNA tests conducted to establish the biological children of the late Kadongo Kamu legend Paul Job Kafeero after Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa publicly questioned the findings.

The DNA results, released earlier on Thursday by the Uganda Police Forensic Directorate, confirmed that only four of the 25 individuals who underwent testing were biological children of the celebrated musician.

The announcement sparked widespread debate on social media, with many Ugandans expressing surprise after several claimants who bore a striking resemblance to Kafeero failed to match his DNA profile.

Among those who reacted was Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who admitted that although he trusted science, he found some of the results difficult to reconcile with the physical resemblance between Kafeero and some of the unsuccessful claimants.

In a post on X, Tayebwa wrote: “I do not doubt science, but if this gentleman is not Paul Kafeero’s son, then we might need to do DNA of our parents while they’re still alive. Cheeiiiii!”

The post quickly generated discussion online, with some users echoing his skepticism while others defended the scientific process.

Responding to Tayebwa, Balaam insisted that the findings were beyond reproach because they had been independently verified by three separate laboratories.

“Better, my brother Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. Three independent laboratories have confirmed this fact—not just one: MBN Laboratory, Police Forensic Laboratory and Government Analytical Laboratory. These are verified findings,” Balaam wrote.

He also appeared to allude to one of Kafeero’s songs, suggesting that the late singer may have indirectly addressed such situations through his music.

“However, the late Paul sang a song that many should listen to carefully and reflect upon,” he added.

The DNA exercise was undertaken to resolve years of competing paternity claims surrounding Kafeero’s estate. Of the 25 individuals tested, only Simon Peter Kafeero, Elizabeth Nagawa, Thomas Swazi Kafeero and Benedict Kafeero were confirmed as the late singer’s biological children.