TAKEAWAYS

• DNA testing: Gashumba wants DNA tests to be mandatory before a child turns one, saying it protects families from painful discoveries later in life.

• Marriage: He said his late father’s experiences with four wives convinced him never to practice polygamy.

• Privacy & culture: Gashumba defended keeping his wife, Malika, out of the spotlight and distinguished cultural practices from witchcraft.

Businessman and social commentator Frank Gashumba has ignited fresh debate after calling for mandatory DNA testing for all children before they reach one year of age, arguing that early verification of paternity would spare families emotional and financial hardship later in life.

Speaking during an interview, Gashumba said paternity disputes often become devastating when fathers discover years later that children they have raised are not biologically theirs. According to him, such situations are frequently known to people close to the mother long before the alleged father learns the truth.

“DNA testing should be done before a child turns one year so families know the truth early rather than after years of emotional and financial investment,” Frank Gashumba said.

He encouraged men to embrace DNA testing as a way of establishing certainty early in a child’s life rather than waiting until adulthood, when emotional bonds and financial investments have already been made.

Beyond the issue of paternity, Gashumba also reflected on his views about marriage, revealing that lessons from his father’s life shaped his decision to avoid polygamy.

He recalled that his father, who had four wives, often spoke about the challenges of managing a large polygamous family and advised him never to follow the same path. Gashumba said those experiences reinforced his belief that one marriage is easier to manage and less complicated.

The businessman also explained why his wife, Malika, rarely appears in public, saying he prefers to keep his family life private. He described his wife as someone he values deeply and believes not everything meaningful should be displayed publicly.

Gashumba further addressed perceptions about his beliefs, saying people often confuse cultural practices with witchcraft.

“People confuse culture with witchcraft. I am a cultural man, but culture and witchcraft are two different things,” Frank Gashumba said.

He maintained that while he embraces his cultural heritage, he does not equate culture with witchcraft.