Nearly two decades after the death of legendary Ugandan musician Paul Job Kafeero, court-ordered DNA tests have confirmed that only four of the 25 people claiming to be his children are biologically related to him, bringing a major inheritance dispute closer to resolution.
The celebrated Kadongo Kamu musician died in 2007 at the age of 36, leaving behind a multi-billion Ugandan shilling estate comprising land, houses and music royalties. Since his death, rival claims over his estate by women and children alleging to be his family have been the subject of prolonged legal battles.
According to Ugandan media reports, Kafeero’s remains were exhumed on June 1, 2026, after a court approved DNA testing to determine his biological heirs. Bone and tissue samples were collected and analysed by both the Uganda Police Forensic Directorate and the Government Analytical Laboratory.
The results, released on June 25, showed that only Benedict Kafeero, Simon Peter Kafeero, Tomas Kafeero, also known as Swazi, and Elizabeth Nagawa are biologically related to the late musician.
Police Forensic Director AIGP Andrew Mubiru and Government Analytical Laboratory Director Kepher Kuchana Kateu jointly announced the findings at the Police Forensic Directorate in Naguru. The briefing was witnessed by Uganda’s Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara.
Kateu said both laboratories followed the same scientific procedures and independently arrived at identical conclusions.
“Science does not lie. We have been conducting these tests for several years in government and police laboratories, and we have saved many families and reunited others. You went to the government and requested help to resolve this matter. The final results are out. Please let the conflicts end now. We do not want to hear more disputes about Kafeero’s children,” he said.
The announcement reportedly left several unsuccessful claimants in tears after learning they were not biologically related to the late musician.
Minister Barugahara revealed that around 30 people had initially claimed to be Kafeero’s children, but five failed to appear for DNA sampling before the tests were conducted. He added that the four confirmed children had previously matched earlier DNA tests, although those results had been disputed at the time.
The minister said the latest court-backed findings will now be presented before the Mengo Court to update official records and determine the rightful beneficiaries of Kafeero’s estate.
Paul Job Kafeero, widely regarded as the “Prince of Kadongo Kamu”, remains one of Uganda’s most celebrated musicians, with his music continuing to enjoy popularity long after his death.
