By Our Reporter
A quiet revolution is unfolding inside DNA testing labs across Uganda — and it’s tearing families apart.
An increasing number of Ugandan men are turning to DNA paternity tests to uncover the truth about their children’s parentage. But what many are discovering is sending shockwaves through households, courtrooms, and communities.
Recent findings reveal a staggering trend: in nearly three out of every ten tests conducted, the man seeking confirmation is not the biological father of the child in question.
Behind closed doors, heartbroken fathers, anxious mothers, and confused children are confronting emotional wreckage — the fallout of trust betrayed and relationships undone.
“Men come here with heavy hearts,” said a technician at one of Kampala’s busiest DNA testing centres. “Some collapse when they see the results. Others walk away in silence. But rarely does life remain the same.”
Clinics in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mbarara have reported a sharp rise in paternity test requests. Most come from men suspicious of infidelity or seeking proof before paying school fees or child support.
Ugandan journalist Henry Mugenyi, who has been documenting the trend for NBS TV, describes it as a “silent social crisis.”
“This isn’t just science. It’s unraveling long-standing definitions of fatherhood, responsibility, and family identity,” he said.
One man, speaking anonymously, shared his heartbreak:
“I raised that boy as my own for eight years. I was there for every birthday, every hospital visit, every school function. Then one test, and it was all a lie. I don’t know who I am anymore.”
But not everyone believes DNA results should erase fatherhood.
“Being a father isn’t just about biology,” said Sarah, a single mother in Kampala. “Some men run away from children they’ve raised for years. But what about the child? What about love and presence?”
The surge in testing is now overwhelming the legal system, with courts flooded by men demanding to be removed from child support rolls after negative results. Lawyers say some judgments are being overturned, while others drag on in bitter battles.
Family counsellors and child psychologists are warning of long-term psychological damage, especially for children left feeling unwanted or rejected.
Despite the emotional wreckage, the DNA business is booming.
As testing becomes more affordable — with some clinics offering results in under a week — many predict this trend is only beginning.
“People want the truth,” said one lab official. “But truth, as we’re seeing, doesn’t always set you free. Sometimes it shatters everything.”