Woman claims to be singer Irene Namatovu's mother
Musician Irene Namatovu is facing the crisis of her life. A woman is claiming to be her mother and she is fighting for recognition. Two weeks ago, Christine Nalukwago came out to claim that she was Namatovu’s birth mother, although the musician says her biological mother died long ago.
By Brian Mayanja
Musician Irene Namatovu is facing the crisis of her life. A woman is claiming to be her mother and she is fighting for recognition. Two weeks ago, Christine Nalukwago came out to claim that she was Namatovu’s birth mother, although the musician says her biological mother died long ago.
Nalukwago says: “I gave birth to a baby girl in 1985 and my late husband named her Irene Namatovu. But she was stolen from me by unknown people when I had gone to sell waragi in Kisenyi in 1987.”
Namatovu, who is married to fellow musician Geoffrey Lutaaya, says Nalukwago is mistaken. “My parents are dead,” she insists.
Namatovu says she lived with her mother, Nambalirwa, in Wantoni in Mukono district. “If I had not grown up with my mother, I could have believed Nalukwago’s story,” Namatovu said.
Nalukwago says since her child was stolen, she had never stopped searching for her.
Nalukwago’s first son, Eng. Samuel Muwonge, says his mother has suffered a lot since she lost her daughter. “She developed a heart problem. My mother is not looking for wealth. We have given her whatever she wants in life,” he says.
Nalukwago proposed that she and Namatovu go for a DNA test. The singer agreed, but her aunts have set conditions, if the test is to be conducted. “It should be carried out in Europe or the USA,” they said.
At a family meeting held recently at Calendar Hotel in Makindye, a Kampala suburb, they assured Nalukwago that their sister, Nambalirwa, had four children. Nalukwago told them that she had six children and Namatovu was her last-born.
Namatovu’s paternal uncle, Meddie Muwonge, has, however, threatened to sue Nalukwago, saying she is trying to divide his family. “I cannot allow this to happen to our family. I shall take this battle to court,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Namatovu’s fans have also asked her to go for a DNA, saying it is the only way to disprove Nalukwago’s claims. The Police also said they would persuade Namatovu to accept a DNA test. “Nalukwago has not reported the matter to the Police. We can only intervene if one party needs our assistance,” Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Ibin Ssekumbi, said.
Dr. Sarah Namubiru of MBN Clinic Laboratories in Nakasero, says it takes between five to 10 days to get DNA results. “They only have to pay sh350,000 for the service,” she said.