Godi’s family dodges burial
Dec 11, 2008
Arua Municipality MP Akbar Godi’s wife Rehema Caesar was yesterday buried amid tension between his family and in-laws.
By frank mugabi
Arua Municipality MP Akbar Godi’s wife Rehema Caesar was yesterday buried amid tension between his family and in-laws.
Elders from both sides, who had managed to keep the situation under control since Tuesday when Rehema’s grisly murder came to light, parted ways on Thursday after failing to agree on the burial site.
Mourners, going by the first communication, had prepared for a long trek to Godi’s ancestral home in Lenga in Yumbe district.
They were, however, surprised when it was announced that the burial had been changed to the MP’s new house at Ewata, an upcoming prime area on the outskirts of Arua town.
Godi’s relatives reacted by shunning the ceremony that attracted a mammoth crowd from Arua.
Nevertheless, Rehema’s remains were laid to rest at about 12:50pm in the compound of the youngest legislator’s newly-constructed house.
Armed policemen and plain-clothes detectives stood guard at the home.
The location of the grave came as a surprise too. Some mourners said burying a person in the compound contravened Islamic tradition. But some sources said the act was intended to inflict pain on Godi.
A Muslim scholar, however, said Islam only prohibits burial inside or in front of a mosque and in a house.
Swalleh Buga, the Arua Hill division councillor, said the change of burial location was decided at the last minute when the body arrived in Arua town late on Wednesday.
Rehema’s relatives, he said, objected saying burying the body in Yumbe would contradict local tradition.
“We had agreed to have the burial in Yumbe but they later changed their minds, saying these were married people.
Traditionally, a married woman is not supposed to be buried outside the husband’s home,†Buga said.
The in-laws said the new house was the best location since the two had been staying there whenever they visited Arua.
Buga said relatives in Yumbe had prepared a grave after the first arrangements were communicated on Wednesday. There was no eulogy since, according to Buga, it should have been delivered formally by Godi.
He would also be required to give an account of the cause of death. However, Godi was still in Police custody in Kampala over the murder of his wife.
Rehema, who married Godi a year ago, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on Friday.
But the murder only came to light on Monday. The couple had a turbulent marital relationship. Rehema sat her A’levels at Old Kampala Secondary School last month.
Oli Division chief Swadik Angupale, who headed the burial arrangements, said mourners should converge at Godi’s step-father’s residence in Obolokofuko for the Duwa prayers after three days.
Addressing mourners, Arua Police chief Julius Salube urged the deceased’s relatives to remain calm as the Police carry out investigations.
He was reacting to reports that Rehema’s relatives had purchased machetes to launch a retaliatory attack on Godi’s family.
“We are giving this case the utmost attention it requires. We are going to leave no stone unturned,†Salube said.
He urged anybody with information related to the murder to report to him.
Meanwhile, the district NRM chairperson, Francis Fogo, described as “unfortunate†allegations by Godi that state agents killed his wife.
“That is ridiculous. I urge Godi not to seek cheap popularity when we are in deep loss,†Fogo said.
Rehema’s father, Waiga Nasur, a top businessman in Arua, is a strong NRM supporter, he said.
“Therefore, the allegation that the Government is interested in the demise of his daughter carries no sense,†Fogo added.
Arua Municipality MP Akbar Godi’s wife Rehema Caesar was yesterday buried amid tension between his family and in-laws.
Elders from both sides, who had managed to keep the situation under control since Tuesday when Rehema’s grisly murder came to light, parted ways on Thursday after failing to agree on the burial site.
Mourners, going by the first communication, had prepared for a long trek to Godi’s ancestral home in Lenga in Yumbe district.
They were, however, surprised when it was announced that the burial had been changed to the MP’s new house at Ewata, an upcoming prime area on the outskirts of Arua town.
Godi’s relatives reacted by shunning the ceremony that attracted a mammoth crowd from Arua.
Nevertheless, Rehema’s remains were laid to rest at about 12:50pm in the compound of the youngest legislator’s newly-constructed house.
Armed policemen and plain-clothes detectives stood guard at the home.
The location of the grave came as a surprise too. Some mourners said burying a person in the compound contravened Islamic tradition. But some sources said the act was intended to inflict pain on Godi.
A Muslim scholar, however, said Islam only prohibits burial inside or in front of a mosque and in a house.
Swalleh Buga, the Arua Hill division councillor, said the change of burial location was decided at the last minute when the body arrived in Arua town late on Wednesday.
Rehema’s relatives, he said, objected saying burying the body in Yumbe would contradict local tradition.
“We had agreed to have the burial in Yumbe but they later changed their minds, saying these were married people.
Traditionally, a married woman is not supposed to be buried outside the husband’s home,†Buga said.
The in-laws said the new house was the best location since the two had been staying there whenever they visited Arua.
Buga said relatives in Yumbe had prepared a grave after the first arrangements were communicated on Wednesday. There was no eulogy since, according to Buga, it should have been delivered formally by Godi.
He would also be required to give an account of the cause of death. However, Godi was still in Police custody in Kampala over the murder of his wife.
Rehema, who married Godi a year ago, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on Friday.
But the murder only came to light on Monday. The couple had a turbulent marital relationship. Rehema sat her A’levels at Old Kampala Secondary School last month.
Oli Division chief Swadik Angupale, who headed the burial arrangements, said mourners should converge at Godi’s step-father’s residence in Obolokofuko for the Duwa prayers after three days.
Addressing mourners, Arua Police chief Julius Salube urged the deceased’s relatives to remain calm as the Police carry out investigations.
He was reacting to reports that Rehema’s relatives had purchased machetes to launch a retaliatory attack on Godi’s family.
“We are giving this case the utmost attention it requires. We are going to leave no stone unturned,†Salube said.
He urged anybody with information related to the murder to report to him.
Meanwhile, the district NRM chairperson, Francis Fogo, described as “unfortunate†allegations by Godi that state agents killed his wife.
“That is ridiculous. I urge Godi not to seek cheap popularity when we are in deep loss,†Fogo said.
Rehema’s father, Waiga Nasur, a top businessman in Arua, is a strong NRM supporter, he said.
“Therefore, the allegation that the Government is interested in the demise of his daughter carries no sense,†Fogo added.