How the rise of DNA paternity tests is tearing communities apart in Uganda

Paternity doubts and family tensions

Among the most sensitive family conflicts in Uganda are cases where men begin to doubt why some of their children do not look like them. Paternity has turned into a major test of trust and faith as DNA testing becomes easier to access and more widely known in the country.

The role of Moses Kutoi

Moses Kutoi, a clan leader and local mediator, often steps in when marriages are close to collapse under the weight of suspicion and anger. To ease tension, he sometimes reminds skeptical fathers:

“Even me, I don’t resemble my father,”

and notes that despite this, he was still chosen as the family heir and rose to a leadership role among the Bagisu people.

Spread of DNA testing in Uganda

DNA paternity tests are becoming more common in Uganda, partly driven by reports of prominent men discovering they are not the biological fathers of some of their children. The Ministry of Internal Affairs oversees an accredited laboratory that conducts court-ordered paternity investigations and also accepts voluntary testing requests.

Shocking statistics and official warnings

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Simon Peter Mundeyi, described the rising demand for paternity tests and their harsh outcomes.

“About 95 per cent of those coming for DNA tests are men, but more than 98 per cent of the results show these men are not the biological fathers,”

he told reporters in July, adding a stark warning:

Men should not go for DNA proof of paternity “unless you have a strong heart”.

Property, divorce, and high-profile cases

Many recent paternity disputes are closely tied to how property is divided after the death of a family patriarch. Conflicts also emerge during divorce, when the financial obligations of spousal and child support are challenged by DNA results. In a widely discussed case in Kampala, court-ordered testing revealed that a wealthy academic was not the father of one of his three children, highlighting that paternity shocks affect both elite and ordinary families.

Religious perspective and call for care

Religious and community leaders urge men to think carefully before demanding tests that can devastate families. Some use the biblical example of Joseph, who cared for Jesus as his son, to argue that fathers should continue to support their children even when DNA results are painful:

“You take DNA and you find out that out of the four children, only two are yours. So just take care of the children the way they are, like Joseph did.”

Author’s summary

DNA paternity testing in Uganda, driven by suspicion, property disputes and high-profile cases, is exposing hidden truths that fracture families and force society to rethink what it means to be a father.

The Independent — 2025-11-24