Corpse flogged after refusing to be transported for burial
Corpse Flogged After ‘Refusing’ to be transported for Burial
News
By Editor
A family transporting the body of a relative for burial in western Uganda was thrown into distress after their vehicle repeatedly broke down under unclear circumstances, prompting some mourners to strike the corpse in frustration.
The incident occurred along the Kampala–Masaka highway as the family travelled from Nabbingo to Kisoro to bury Moses Ahimbisibwe, 46.
According to family members, the journey began at around 7pm without incident. However, shortly after departure, the vehicle, a Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa, started experiencing intermittent mechanical problems before breaking down completely in Lukaya in the early hours of the morning.
“We left Nabbingo when the vehicle was in good condition, but after a short distance, it began failing intermittently until it completely broke down in Lukaya,” said Geoffrey Tibihika, a family member coordinating the burial arrangements.
When the vehicle failed to restart, mourners removed the body and placed it by the roadside, attracting a crowd of onlookers.
Ahimbisibwe, a boda boda rider, had reportedly been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure and died at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.
Tibihika said the deceased had previously made remarks suggesting he would “cause trouble” after his death, a statement that unsettled some mourners, though no further explanation was provided.
As anxiety and confusion grew, some mourners attributed the repeated breakdowns to supernatural causes.
In the ensuing tension, a section of the group struck the corpse with sticks, describing the act as a cultural response to unusual occurrences.
Police later intervened to restore calm.
Lukaya Division Police Commander Cyrus Besimire arrived at the scene and engaged the family, after which the body was returned to the vehicle.
“The situation was brought under control, and we advised the family to remain calm as arrangements were made to continue the journey,” Besimire said.
The vehicle later resumed the journey under police escort, accompanied by boda boda riders and residents. However, it broke down again at Bbajja shortly after leaving Lukaya, and later at Mukoko, further complicating the journey.
Police directed the driver to move the vehicle off the main road to prevent disruption to traffic as investigations into the repeated breakdowns continued.
Local residents, led by Lukaya defence secretary Isa Male Wasswa, expressed mixed views, with some attributing the incident to mechanical failure, while others pointed to possible supernatural explanations.
“This is not something we see every day. People are trying to make sense of it in different ways,” Wasswa said.
By press time, the family was still making arrangements to ensure the body reaches Kisoro for burial.
