Professor Badru Kateregga, the founder of Kampala University, is heartbroken after discovering that he is not the biological father of one of his three children with his wife, Shubaiha Jolly Kateregga, 36.
The 76-year-old Ugandan educationist and entrepreneur currently serves as the vice chancellor of the private university he co-founded.
Kateregga and his estranged wife, Shubaiha, have been married for 15 years. Their marital issues began in September 2024 when he left their home, stating he wanted to spend time with his older children from a previous relationship. Kateregga also alleged that Shubaiha had assaulted him, which prompted his departure.
In response to his departure, Shubaiha filed for court orders requesting that her husband provide maintenance and education for their three children. However, Kateregga expressed doubts about the paternity of all three children and demanded DNA tests before complying with the court orders.
As a result, Grade One Magistrate Opio Charles Kangira of the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court instructed both parties to submit samples for testing. The DNA report, signed by government analyst Immaculate Atukwasa and presented in court, revealed that Kateregga is the biological father of only two of the children he had with Shubaiha. The third child, their youngest, was confirmed not to be his.
According to The New Vision, sources close to the professor stated that he is devastated by the news, especially considering he had lovingly embraced and raised all three children.
After the results were read in court, Shubaiha publicly dismissed the findings, claiming they were false. The 36-year-old woman expressed concerns that the results may have been influenced by foul play or procedural irregularities.
“I do not trust the accuracy of the results and lack confidence in the integrity of the process through which they were obtained. I have asked my lawyer to appeal,” she stated, as reported by Matooke Republic. She called for a fresh DNA test to be conducted at a reputable, internationally accredited facility in the United States, asserting, “A transparent and professionally handled process will vindicate this position. If I wasn’t sure, I would never have agreed to a DNA test in the first place.”
The couple, married under Islamic rites in March 2013, have endured a turbulent relationship in recent years, marked by mutual accusations of infidelity and domestic violence. Their long-standing issues eventually became public, culminating in a divorce petition to formalise their separation.
At the onset of their divorce battle, Professor Kateregga accused Shubaiha of domestic abuse, including alleged attempts to poison him. He also claimed that she was trying to seize control of his business empire, particularly Kampala University.
In her defense, Shubaiha stated that the injuries mentioned by the professor were complications from post-surgery treatment at International Hospital Kampala. She further accused Kateregga of infidelity, adding that she had tolerated much out of loyalty to their marriage.
