The Truth Behind Kenzo’s Roots: Hajat Nambagereka Tells All
Hajat Nambagereka Hadijjah, the woman who took Eddy Kenzo into her care when he was just eight years old, has opened up about what she knows regarding the singer’s father.
Her comments come weeks after President Yoweri Museveni, during the launch of the “Yoweri” album in late September 2025, revealed that Kenzo’s biological father was the late Brigadier General Chefe Ali, a former National Resistance Army commander.
The revelation stirred widespread discussion across social media and entertainment circles.
Speaking on Sanyuka Uncut, Hajat Nambagereka shared her account of Eddy Kenzo’s past and the family history she has known for years.
She began by describing how the singer came into her life.
I remember when Eddy Kenzo was just a boy. He was about eight years old at the time. He was brought home by my son, who was a baller in Masaka. Eddy Kenzo was on the streets of Masaka then, and that is where we found him. Back then, his name was Edgar.
She continued:
Eddy Kenzo, who was called Edgar for many years, was like my own son. I took responsibility for him and cared for him deeply. Later, he grew up and began searching for his family.
Hajat explained that Eddy Kenzo’s search led him to a man named Kiwalabye Hassan, but it was not a simple journey.
After a long search, he found a man named Kiwalabye Hassan. It was not straightforward. Eventually, I had a chance to ask the late Kiwalabye Hassan why all of his children were Muslims, but he noticed that Eddy Kenzo was not. That was when Kiwalabye Hassan explained.
According to Hajat, Kiwalabye Hassan told her a complicated story about family and identity.
He told me that he married a woman who already had a child. They had a son, whom they named Monday. After some years, they separated. Later, someone brought a boy claiming he was their son, but when he looked deeper, he realised that this boy, called Mpalayi John, was not truly his son.
She added:
Over time, the boy who was once called Mpalayi John became Muslim and was given the name Ediriisa Musuuza. I took responsibility for him as my own son but always wondered about his true lineage.
When President Museveni made his announcement, Hajat said it reminded her of something her late friend Kiwalabye Hassan once told her.
When President Museveni announced that Eddy Kenzo is the son of Chef Ali, I remembered something my late friend Kiwalabye Hassan once told me. He hinted that, perhaps just perhaps, Chef Ali might be the biological father of Eddy Kenzo.
She added that based on what she has seen and heard over the years, the possibility feels real to her.
I think it is possible. Given all that I have heard and seen, it could very well be true. It is a story that connects many parts of his life and history.
Hajat revealed that Eddy Kenzo had taken steps to confirm his parentage.
Eddy Kenzo told me that they went to where the late Kiwalabye Hassan was buried and took a DNA sample to find out if he was his biological father. The results came back, and unfortunately they showed that Kiwalabye Hassan was not his father.
She continued:
But then, they also did a DNA test on the children of late Chef Ali, and those results were positive that he was indeed related to Chef Ali.
Hajat concluded by defending Eddy Kenzo’s character.
My belief is that Eddy Kenzo is a good man. We should leave him alone and let him live his life peacefully. I am proud of him; he has done well, and his character is what matters most. The truth about his roots can be complicated, but his goodness and his contributions to our community are what truly count.
@sanyukatvug VIDEO: Eddy Kenzo's foster mother breaks silence. #SanyukaUnCut #SanyukaUpdates #FfeBannoDdala
