17 arrested for disturbing the dead

What you need to know:

  • The LCI chairperson of Kyaruhanga cell, Mr Stephen Tumwine called police to contain the situation.
  • Shortly after the burial, a scuffle ensued when some of the deceased’s grandchildren asked for two goats for cleansing as their tradition demands.

Police is holding at least 17 people who are said to have vandalized a grave and removed a casket containing the remains of a 98-year-old woman in Ibanda Municipality where she had been buried.
A group of the late Tibwitwa Kedoora’s grandchildren on Friday stormed the funeral in Kitwe cell which was attended by hundreds of locals in the area and top government officials and vandalized the grave just hours after her burial.

The tribute ceremony was presided over by Rev. Perusi Katungi, a parish priest of Bukonje Church of Uganda who appealed to the mourners to emulate the example of late Kedoora who managed to look after her children upon the demise of her husband.
Shortly after the burial, a scuffle ensued when some of the deceased’s grandchildren asked for two goats for cleansing as part of their traditional rituals.
However, another group of mourners was opposed to their request, a thing that sparked a fight between the two sides.
One of the groups vandalized the fresh grave and removed the casket with the intention of burying the remains in a different location.

The LCI chairperson of Kyaruhanga cell, Mr Stephen Tumwine called police to contain the situation.
The O/C Criminal Investigating Department, Mr Grace Davis Pande who arrived at the burial scene with a group of security officers ordered for the arrest of trouble causers before directing the mourners to rebury the remains of Kedoora.
“Those arrested will be produced in courts of law when the investigations are complete on charges of malicious damage and disturbing the peace of the deceased,” Mr Pande said.