Road displaces graves, seven bodies exhumed

The remains of seven people who were buried between 1980 and 2014 have been exhumed in Mambugu A cell in Kagadi town council Kagadi district for re-burial due the ongoing road construction of the Mubende-Kibaale-Kagadi road.

The exercise was led by Yokoyada Kuzaara, the lay leader of Mambugu Church of Uganda and relative to the deceased. Residents witnessed the digging up of human skulls and other bones, including clothes where the bodies were wrapped.

During the exhumation, Kuzaara said the remains were of John Kugonza, Fred Karuhanga, Gava Yosam, Justine Nanyonga, Maragarita Atugonza, Elinah Nanyonga and Yonasani Byenkya.

He said they first sought permission from court and the Police to exhume these bodies. In Uganda, it is illegal to exhume bodies because the law prescribes it as disturbing the peace of the dead and is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year.

Rev. Yefusa Kisitu, who knew the history of the deceased, said the relatives had sold the land to other people and therefore, it was right for the road construction company to exhume the remains in order to allow access of the road.

Kisitu said they were compensated before they exhumed the bodies of their relatives. Residents said it is right to shift and re-bury their beloved ones to a safer place.

Death rituals in Uganda are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs, traditions, and indigenous religions of the country. Many societies in Uganda treasure their loved ones even in death and believe they still have a role to play in the lives of the living ones. That is why in many societies, burial takes place either near the homes or in an arranged graveyard, where the graves are taken care of regularly.

According to the relatives, among the seven exhumed two belong to Babito clan and will be re-buried in Ngangi village in Kibaale town council Kibaale district whereas the five belong to Bayaga clan and will be re-buried in Mambugu village in Kagadi town council Kagadi district.