7 die mysteriously, 7 run mad over family land

By Vivien Nakitende

The story is like a creative script reminiscent of a Hollywood horror movie. A family has so far lost seven members mysteriously  while seven have run mad over land wrangles.

This is the intriguing story of a  family torn apart over 36 acres of land. The land is located in Kibumbiro, along Mityana Road.

The family head, Jacob Buyungo died in 1945. He left nine children, seven of whom have died mysteriously, according to his granddaughter Rose Nakirijja, a resident of Nyanama in Lubaga Division.

The first victim was her father, Ssaalongo Bernard of Kibumbiro Jezza. Nakirijja narrates that one morning he woke up and sent them to the garden but on their return, they found him dead in his bed. He was not known to be suffering from anything nor had he complained of any ailment.

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Nakirijja who narrated the family ordeal

Her uncle, Lawrence Muyegga also of Kibumbiro was returning home after attending last funeral rites when he was hit by a bodaboda, killing him on spot.

Another uncle, Moses Lule whose nickname was “Boss” had supper with the family, but died mysteriously in his bed. This was 1997. He too, like Bernard, had not complained of any ailment.

An auntie. Antonia Namirembe got a mild headache and went to rest. She too died in her bed! Another family member, Ann Maria Nakiganda's stomach suddenly got swollen like a balloon and was rushed to Mulago hospital. Doctors failed to diagonise what was wrong and died a few days later.

Residents are puzzled about the mystery of death in this family. “We even fear to marry from that family because we think it is cursed,” says a neighbour. “In that family they don't even fall sick, they just die!” another neighbour quips.

Nayiti Naggayi (right), now a widow - who got married in the family however says the 'curse' started after the death of the family head Buyungo. true

“After his death wrangles over the land started, and family members started dropping off like fireflies!

The caretaker of the land was boss who died mysteriously. He produced 36 children and we think some of them brought witchcraft that has claimed whoever tries to block them from taking over the land,” Naggayi says.

Others run mad

Nakirijja narrates: My brother James Buyungo of Najjanankumbi used to be a taxi driver at Nsambya. He died mysteriously in his bed after having supper. He was not sick at all. He had tried to block those who were trying to take over their grandfather's land.

Another brother of mine called Butengo of Kibumbiro went to the forest on that land to cut timber. It was his first time cutting
timber there. When he felled a tree he started complaining of pain and died immediately he returned home.

John Musoke also of Kibumbiro contracted a mysterious disease that doctors failed to diagonise. He died after a few days in 2011.  He had got money that he was using to try and block those taking over the land!

At the beginning of this year, Jacob Buyungo (named after his grandfather), the heir to Lawrence Muyegga complained of a headache and soon after run mad. He would scream and claim he was seeing snakes and that there were strange people coming to take him. He is now a bit fine occasionally runs mad.

Last year, Kaboggoza of Kibumbiro, a son to Bernard also run mad. He would roam the village talking to himself but he is now better. But his problems also stemmed from the land. He tried to block those plotting to divide the land and sell it.

Our sister Sylvia Nakabiri of Mengo got some money and proposed during a family gathering last year that instead of selling the land we should develop it. She later run mad and to date she is still seeing doctors.

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Bernard was the first vctim who died in his bed

The strange one was Sam Muwanga, a son to Naggayi who used to ride a bodaboda at Kibumbiro. One day in 2011 he returned home and started reading a news bulletin off head like he was on radio. He had also run mad. He spent a whole year like a zombie. His problems started when he wanted to put some projects of the land.

Such are the strange things that have befallen Buyungo's  chidren and grandchildren. The family is split into two. There are those who don't want the land divided and propose that we put developmental projects on it. The land is very fertile and is
strategically located.

On the other hand some want the land divided and everyone does what they wish with their portion.

A plot of land at Kibumbiro is just one million shillings. This is what worries those who don't want the land sold because what will one million do?

Rose Nakirijja says she too has been living in fear since she fell sick. I used to have money, had a car and houses. I used to work in Owino dealing in second clothes from Nairobi. But in 2009 I suddenly got pain in my legs and felt strange things creeping up my body.

My situation worsened and I felt my flesh just hanging from the bones. I have been to many hospitals in Uganda. I have sold everything of mine but doctors have failed to diagonise what is wrong with me.

There isn't a pastor I have not seen. I have also seen priests but everything has failed. I realise my problems stemmed from that land because I have also blocked those people from dividing it for sale.

She says she is like  a mad person. "I am the only one who feels sick yet people say I look fine.

Anne Najjemba, their only surviving auntie admits their family is cursed.

“Those who want to sell the land have money and when you try to say anything they threaten you.I know they are the cause of all these mysterious things because anyone who opposes them faces the same fate."