President Museveni on Saturday left guests at Speke Resort Munyonyo in shock when he revealed that musician Edrisa Musuuza alias Eddy Kenzo is son to the late Gen. Eriya Mwine, popularly known as Chefe Ali, an NRA bush war hero.
The revelation came during the launch of Yoweri, a music album project organized by the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) under Kenzo’s leadership, where the President was the chief guest.
While commending Kenzo for his honesty and transparency in managing government funds allocated to the music industry, Museveni paused to disclose what he described as an “open secret.”
“Eddy Kenzo is the son of a soldier,” Museveni declared, turning to Kenzo. “Did you tell them, or you wanted me to keep it a secret? Where are the other children of Chief Ali? Stand up. Even they look alike.”
The remarks sent murmurs across the hall as many in the audience processed the surprising revelation.
For years, Kenzo, who has openly narrated his struggles of losing his parents at a young age and living on the streets before rising to international fame, had kept the identity of his father private.
His story as “Kaana Kambaata” — the boy from the ghetto became part of his public identity, but little was known of his paternal lineage until Museveni’s disclosure.
About a decade ago, Eddy Kenzo spoke publicly about his family background, saying that his father was the late Hassan Kiwalabye.
Together with his late brother Monday and sisters he recently connected with, Kenzo believed they all belonged to the Kiwalabye family. He recalled how at one point his family was homeless, with his father spending two years sleeping under a tree.
Museveni’s revelation on Saturday, however, has introduced a different version of Kenzo’s roots, sparking debate about his lineage.
President’s comments not only placed Kenzo’s personal journey in a new light but also linked him to one of Uganda’s most revered post-independence military commanders.
Kenzo is however quoted opening up on the matter, saying that a DNA test proved that the man he grew up calling his dad was not his biological parent.
Kenzo himself has previously hinted at having “things he is demanding from government” but without disclosing details.
Museveni’s revelation now raises fresh curiosity about whether those demands are tied in any way to his late father’s legacy.
Chefe Ali died in 1999 at the age of 44.
