Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara has revealed that 238 out of 250 DNA tests conducted on behalf of families during his tenure as Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs showed that the men tested were not the biological fathers of the children involved.
According to Barugahara, the DNA tests were carried out after families sought government assistance in resolving paternity disputes. He said only 12 of the 250 tests confirmed the presumed fathers as the children’s biological parents.
Barugahara said the findings underscored the growing number of families seeking scientific confirmation of paternity, describing many of the outcomes as emotionally devastating for those involved.
DNA testing is increasingly being used in Uganda to resolve disputes over parentage, inheritance, child support, and other family-related matters. While the tests provide scientific certainty, experts note that the results can have far-reaching emotional, legal, and social consequences for families, particularly children.
Barugahara’s remarks have sparked discussion about paternity, trust, and the growing demand for DNA testing in Uganda. His figures reflect his account of the tests conducted during his tenure as Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs and have not been independently verified in this report.