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In Uganda, paternity disputes are increasingly prompting men to seek DNA tests, with many discovering they are not the biological fathers of their children.
Moses Kutoi, a clan leader and mediator, often deals with sensitive cases where men question why some children in their families do not resemble them. For Kutoi, discussions about paternity remain deeply taboo, yet he intervenes to prevent marriages from breaking down or becoming violent.
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“Even I don’t resemble my father,” Kutoi recently told a man he was helping, illustrating that appearances alone are not a measure of parentage.
The rise in paternity testing has been fueled partly by high-profile cases of Ugandans discovering non-paternity, leading to public debates. Clerics and traditional leaders have urged tolerance and emphasized the values of family and community, citing teachings such as the virgin birth of Jesus to caution against unnecessary testing.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, which runs a government-accredited lab for court-ordered DNA tests, reports a surge in voluntary testing, often with painful results. Simon Peter Mundeyi, a ministry spokesperson, said that while about 95% of those seeking tests are men, over 98% of results show they are not the biological fathers. He warned men to be prepared for emotional outcomes.
DNA testing centers are increasingly visible in Uganda, with aggressive advertising across radio, public spaces, and even taxi windows in Kampala. However, in towns like Nabumali, the cost of testing—over KSh 25,800 at the nearest private lab—remains prohibitive for many families.
Kutoi mediates between couples often at the point where relationships are strained. He uses humor and his own experiences to ease tension, noting that despite not resembling his father, he was chosen as clan leader among the Bagisu people.
Historically, public discussion of paternity was severely restricted, and elders would enforce fines or other consequences. Today, disputes often arise during inheritance conflicts after a patriarch’s death or in divorce proceedings over child support. High-profile court cases, such as one involving a wealthy academic in Kampala, have highlighted the issue in the media.
Faith leaders are also helping families navigate these disputes. Rev. Robert Wantsala, an Anglican vicar in Mbale, has encountered numerous paternity conflicts, from inheritance issues to children claimed by multiple men. Pastor Andrew Mutengu of Word of Faith Ministries has mediated cases involving claims from former partners, emphasizing confidentiality and the child’s wellbeing.
Kutoi continues to use humor and perspective to address these delicate matters, illustrating through his own family that resemblance alone does not define parentage.
By: AP
