Kaweesi murder: Suspect's children to undergo DNA tests

May 10, 2017

Police investigations indicate not all the children picked from Abdu Rashid Mbazira’s Mukono home are his

The 12 children recently picked up by security operatives from the home of Abdu Rashid Mbaziira, a suspect in the murder of Police spokesperson, Felix Kaweesi, are to undergo DNA tests to ascertain whether they are his children.

Mbaziira was arrested with his three wives, Hadijjah Bint Salim, Aisha Ampiire and Saidat Nsubuga, who were later released on Police bond. Security operatives also picked a dozen children claimed to be Mbaziira's.

Mbaziira is charged with 12 other suspects in connection with the murder of Kaweesi, his body guard, Kenneth Erau and driver, Godfrey Wambewo in March. They were killed by men riding motorcycles on March 17, in Kulambiro.

Police initially did not disclose the whereabouts of the children, most of them minors aged between 2 and 20, sparking ire.

Yesterday, it emerged that the children were put under care of Kyampisi Childcare Ministries, a foster home, located along Mukono - Kayunga highway.

DNA tests

The move to subject the children to DNA tests stems from preliminary Police investigations that indicate not all the minors picked from Mbaziira's Mukono home are his children.

Police said that some of the children could be victims of trafficking. 

The head of Nagalama Police Station's Child and Family Protection Unit, Shamim Baluku, said the minors were handed over to the foster home for care, pending investigations.

"They are in good health," she told New Vision.

Why a foster home?

Explaining why the children were taken to Kyampisi, Baluku said the organization shelters children especially those that are victims of trafficking.

"We rescue/receive three to five abandoned children a day and the organization has been helpful in taking care of them until we trace their parents," Baluku told New Vision in an interview.

One of those picked from Mbaziira's home, a 20-year-old suffers from epilepsy but is in good health.

Fingerprints

Kampala Metropolitan East Police officers, recorded more statements from Mbaziira's wives before the Police forensic detectives run fingerprint checks on them.

The team later moved to the foster home, where experts run similar tests on the children.

A detective privy the probe, told New Vision, that fingerprint checks were a key component in the inquiry that had taken a new twist.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Emilian Kayima, said on Wednesday morning that will hand over the children to thier parents/guardians pending ongoing inquiries.

"I am on my way to Nagalama Police Station thereafter to the foster home where the children will be reuinted with their families," he said.

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