UPC Coffin Rejected

By Grace Matsikoand A. G. MusamaliTHERE was drama at Mulago Hospital yesterday when relatives of the slain student, Jimmy Higenyi, rejected a coffin brought by the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).The relatives said they did not want Higenyi’s death politicised.And at the All Saints Cathedral Nakasero, the assistant vicar, the Rev. Monica Sebidega, conducted a funeral service organised by UPC for the late Higenyi in only five minutes and dismissed the congregation comprising mainly of multi-party politicians.Sebidega, who was assisted by the Rev. Michael Esakano Okwi, said she could not conduct a full service because Higenyi’s body was not in church.Present at the service was Democratic Party (DP) President General, Paul Ssemogerere, James Rwanyarare from UPC and former presidential candidates, Aggrey Awori, Kibirige Mayanja, and Chapaa Karuhanga.Relatives led by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Joseph Etima forced UPC officials whose car was parked outside the Makerere University Medical School compound in Mulago to open the coffin to prove that Higenyi’s body was not inside.“Open and I see whether it (the body) is inside. For us, we have our own burial arrangements as a family...take back your coffin,” Etima, an uncle to the slain student said.The UPC officials opened the coffin for Etima to inspect and closed it again. They drove off soon after.Minutes later, Etima drove off and returned at around 3:35pm with an oak brown casket.“His body is being misused for political reasons. I am his paternal uncle. He was not a member of any political party. He died while doing his practicals,” Etima said.Earlier at 1:30pm, Etima’s group visited the mortuary and told technician Duncan Nkonge that no one should take the body away without the consent of the relatives.The body left for Tororo at around 4:30pm. Higenyi, whose parents are both dead will be buried today.By 5:00p.m, the rejected coffin was lying in a room on the First Floor of Uganda House, the UPC headquarters. Officials said it cost them sh1.2m and they had spent sh1.5m on burial arrangements.Ends