A DNA test has confirmed that Honorary Consul of Zimbabwe in Uganda, Mr. Chris Rugari, was the biological father of two-year-old Nganwa Rugari, whose sudden and suspicious death has led to a police investigation and the arrest of the child’s mother.
The DNA results, released on April 4, 2025, by MBN Clinical Laboratories, stated conclusively that Mr. Rugari was the father.
The report, signed by Dr. Freddie Bwanga and Mr. Alfred Okeng, read in part: “Consequently, it is practically proved that Chris Akansasibwa Rugari is the biological father of Nganwa.”
Tragically, the child died just hours before the DNA test was originally scheduled to be conducted as part of an ongoing divorce case between Mr. Rugari and the child’s mother, Ms. Joline Mutesi.
The confirmation of paternity was instrumental in allowing police to release the body to Mr. Rugari, who buried his son five days later at his ancestral home in Kabale District.
The burial took place in the absence of Ms. Mutesi, who remains in custody at Jinja Road Police Station.
Authorities are now awaiting final post-mortem results to establish the cause of the child’s death. A preliminary examination did not find injuries consistent with a fall, contradicting Ms. Mutesi’s account.
She had told police that the boy fell from the first floor of their home in Mutungo Zone 8, Nakawa Division, on April 1.
She said he was taken to the hospital where a CT scan was recommended but never conducted, as his condition deteriorated overnight. The child was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital the next morning.
Due to inconsistencies in the mother’s account and lack of visible injuries, police detained Ms. Mutesi while further investigations continue.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Patrick Onyango confirmed that Ms. Mutesi remains in custody and said full post-mortem results, which could guide the next steps in the investigation, are expected soon.
The death of baby Nganwa comes amid an acrimonious divorce case between his parents, marked by allegations of infidelity and disputed paternity over several of their children.
