DNA test demand at all time high, as 42,000 passports unclaimed
“But I want to caution Ugandans—do not engage in DNA testing unless you have a very strong heart.”
“We are seeing a growing number of adult children who want to verify whether the people they call their parents are indeed biologically related to them,” Mundeyi said.
By Simon Masaba
Journalists @New Vision
The uncollected passports are lying idle at the Kampala centre in Kyambogo and various regional offices, including Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Arua, Kotido, Hoima, Mbale, and Lira.
KAMPALA - Uganda's internal affairs ministry has raised concern over what it is calling the surging demand for paternity testing in Uganda.
The ministry says in just three days, its officials registered 94 new cases, the majority initiated by men questioning the paternity of their children.
Addressing journalists at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, ministry spokesperson Simon Mundeyi, today, July 14, 2025, said 95% of the cases were filed by men, while 2% were women, and 3% involved adult children seeking clarity about their biological parents.
“We are seeing a growing number of adult children who want to verify whether the people they call their parents are indeed biologically related to them,” Mundeyi said.
“But I want to caution Ugandans—do not engage in DNA testing unless you have a very strong heart.”
According to Mundeyi, the ministry’s forensic laboratory in Wandegeya handles these tests at $100 per sample, typically collecting samples from the alleged father, mother and child. However, the psychological toll has been devastating.
“In our observations, 98% of the DNA results come out negative. You can imagine a man who has raised a child for 15 years, only to be told he’s not the father,” he added. “It is traumatising, especially for children. If you can avoid it, don’t do it. Live and die in peace.”
Mundeyi also urged media outlets to avoid harassing or photographing individuals visiting the Wandegeya DNA centre, saying many people avoid seeking answers for fear of public exposure.
“People go there secretly, and they find cameras waiting. Please give people their privacy. Not every prominent person visiting Wandegeya is guilty of something.”
Unclaimed passports now exceed 42,000
In the same briefing, the Ministry revealed that over 42,000 electronic passports remain uncollected, clogging up storage at processing centres across the country.
This follows a previous clearance of 16,000 unclaimed passports, according to Mundeyi.
“These are people who applied, paid, and got approval—but never came to pick them up. We do not have space for such volumes anymore,” he said.
The uncollected passports are lying idle at the Kampala centre in Kyambogo and various regional offices, including Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Arua, Kotido, Hoima, Mbale, and Lira.
Mundeyi urged applicants to retrieve their passports immediately, bringing their National ID and application receipt for verification.