This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
Published on August 19, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's decision to reveal an out-of-wedlock child at a VIP funeral has left many in Kampala intrigued.
While such revelations are not unusual in East Africa, where polygamy was outlawed by Christian colonialists, the fact that Sonko is a common Ugandan name has added to the interest.
According to local tradition, children born out of wedlock are often referred to as 'two o'clock children,' declared at the time of a father's funeral to avoid discrimination.
These children are often welcomed with sympathy and even attract more attention from mourners, who try to underline their resemblance to the deceased.
However, the revelation of such family secrets can also lead to complications, especially when it comes to inheritance and wills.
As one Ugandan noted, 'you can never know how the two o'clockers will affect your life,' but there is a good chance they will turn up when the time comes.
