Woman lives with son's corpse for a week

May 09, 2016

She had a vision that he'd die and resurrect after seven days

A 25-year-old woman in Nebbi district has been secretly living with the rotting corpse of her one year old son because she believed he was going to resurrect. 

Jane Iwutung, 25, has been living with Gerald Rwothomio's corpse at her rental home in Kasuku village, Nebbi Town council following his death a week ago. 

The child had suffered from meningitis before his death according to one their family members. 

According to Hamilton Okidi, the Nebbi district Police officer in charge criminal investigations, Iwutung was arrested on Sunday after a tip off by neighbours. 

Okidi explained that residents got concerned over the stench that was coming from Iwutung's house. 

"They lived a secretive but normal life around the dead body, praying and eating before they were arrested," Okidi said. 

He said the incident was the first of its kind in his nearly 30 years of service in the force.

Christopher Ongu, who led the Sunday operation that led to the discovery of dead body, said they had to fire teargas to disperse angry residents who wanted to lynch the woman. 

 Ongu said they found the decomposing body wrapped in a piece of cloth and a bible next to it. 

 "It was a nasty scene, I wonder how they were living in that environment," he said. 

One of Iwutung daughters, in a statement to the police said her mother told them that, she had vision that her son will fall sick, die and resurrect after seven days. 

According to the 13-year-old girl, their mother said Sunday was the resurrection day for the boy. 

"My mother had a vision that Rwothomio, would die, and resurrect after seven days, and all these time we have been praying, and Sunday was the day he was to resurrect," she said. 

The minor explained that her mother belongs to a religion group called Askari Pa Yesu (Jesus Army).  She added that her mother had turned their house into a church of sorts. 

At the time of the arrest Iwutung was found praying with one Maleng Parwoth, who is believed to be the pastor of their church. 

Rashid Ongei, Iwutung's husband expressed shocked over the incident. 

Ongei who is currently battling diabetes at Nebbi Hospital, said he had not seen his wife in the last seven days. 

"It's quite disturbing news, I now understand why the woman has not been able to bring me food," he said. 

Wana Ephraim the village chairman of Kasuku village said he had no knowledge of Iwutung as a resident of the village. 

Okidi said the police is considering slapping a charge of hindering burial of the dead body contrary to section 121 of the penal code against Iwutung. 

The body has been taken for a postmortem at Nebbi Hospital.

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