Dramatic! Corpse Beaten After ‘Refusing’ To Be Transported To Kisoro For Burial

By Swift Reporter

A family transporting the body of a relative for burial in western Uganda was thrown into distress after their vehicle repeatedly broke down, prompting some mourners to strike the corpse in frustration.

The incident occurred along the Kampala–Masaka Highway as the family travelled from Nabbingo to Kisoro District to bury Moses Ahimbisibwe, 46.

According to family members, the journey began on Monday, at around 7pm without incident. However, shortly after departure, the vehicle, a Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa, developed intermittent mechanical problems before breaking down completely in Lukaya in the early hours of the morning.

Geoffrey Tibihika, a family member coordinating burial arrangements, said they left Nabbingo when the vehicle was in good condition, but it soon began failing repeatedly before grinding to a halt in Lukaya.

When efforts to restart the vehicle failed, mourners removed the body and placed it by the roadside, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Ahimbisibwe, a boda boda rider, had reportedly been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. He died at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.

Tibihika added that the deceased had previously made remarks suggesting he would “cause trouble” after his death, a statement that unsettled some mourners.

As anxiety grew, some members of the group attributed the repeated breakdowns to supernatural causes. In the ensuing tension, a section of mourners struck the corpse with sticks, describing the act as a cultural response to unusual occurrences.

Local residents, led by Lukaya defence secretary Isa Male Wasswa, expressed mixed reactions. While some blamed mechanical failure, others pointed to possible supernatural explanations.

“This is not something we see every day. People are trying to make sense of it in different ways,” Wasswa said.

Police later intervened to restore calm. Lukaya Division Police Commander Cyrus Besimire arrived at the scene, engaged the family, and ensured the body was returned to the vehicle.

“The situation was brought under control, and we advised the family to remain calm as arrangements were made to continue the journey,” Besimire said.

The vehicle later resumed the journey under police escort, accompanied by boda boda riders and residents. However, it broke down again at Bbajja and later in Mukoko, further complicating the trip.

Police directed the driver to move the vehicle off the road to prevent disruption to traffic as investigations into the repeated breakdowns continued.