Paddy Bitama's father finally revealed

Jan 18, 2014

The results from a DNA test confirm that Peter Njegula is the biological father of fallen local comedian, Paddy Bitama.

By Charles Etukuri

The results from a DNA test have confirmed that Peter Njegula is the biological father of fallen local comedian, Paddy Bitama.

The results were released to the family members and the press Saturday morning by police shortly after they were handed over to them by the Government Analytical Laboratory in Wandegeya.

“The results from the analysis strongly support Peter Njegula as the biological father of the deceased Paddy Bitama. They don’t support Richard Ssali as paternally related to Bitama. Therefore Peter Njegula is the rightful father,” a report signed by Andrew Mubiru, a senior government analyst, indicates.

Before releasing the results, Police first met the two warring factions.

“We first did an elaborate counseling before releasing the results to them,” Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Ibin Senkumbi told journalists, refuting reports that the Government machines in Wandegeya had failed, prompting them to send the results to Kenya.

“The results were sent to Kenya for comparison purposes. Government analytical labs can send samples to their colleagues,” he clarified.

The late Pardy Bitama, a comedian-turned politician, passed on last Saturday shortly after being admitted at the Mulago Cancer Institute.

He was one of the founders of comedy outfit Amarula Family but left the group to form his own, Amazon Family, which did not last.

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The late Paddy Bitama clashed with security forces during his brief period as a politician. FILE PHOTO/Rogers Kibirige

The popular comedian could not be buried after two families claimed him as their son, prompting a DNA test.

Ssenkumbi said that in order to resolve the dispute, police forwarded a request to the Government analytical laboratory on January 13 (two days after his death) for a DNA test and samples were extracted from the two men claiming to be his father.

“DNA tests were concluded yesterday (Friday) evening and handed over to us today. On receiving the results police called both parties to Wandegeya."

Njegula's side was represented by him and his elder son while the other family was represented by Richard Ssali and an aunt to the deceased.

Police said that both parties had agreed and were making burial arrangements, a process police says it will highly engage in to ensure that security is guaranteed.

Spokesman Ssenkumbi  mentioned that issues of compensations arose during the counseling.

“The Nansana family raised the issue of compensation, claiming  they had spent a lot of money in raising and treating Bitama but we advised them that it was now a family matter and they should sit together and resolve it with the help of elders.”

By the time of filing this story both families were still locked in negotiations.

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