A family transporting the body of a relative for burial in Kisoro was thrown into distress along the Kampala–Masaka highway after their vehicle suffered repeated breakdowns, sparking panic, superstition, and an unusual confrontation that drew police intervention.
The incident happened as relatives traveled from Nabbingo to Kisoro to bury Moses Ahimbisibwe, 46. According to family members, the journey began around 7 p.m. without issue. Shortly after departure, the Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa carrying the body started experiencing intermittent mechanical problems before breaking down completely in Lukaya in the early hours of the morning.
“We left Nabbingo when the vehicle was in good condition, but after a short distance, it began failing intermittently until it completely broke down in Lukaya,” said Geoffrey Tibihika, a family member coordinating the burial arrangements.
When the vehicle failed to restart, 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 and died at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.
Tibihika said the deceased had previously made remarks suggesting he would “cause trouble” after his death, a statement that unsettled some mourners, though he did not elaborate further.
As anxiety grew, some mourners attributed the repeated breakdowns to supernatural causes. In the rising tension, a section of the group struck the corpse with sticks, describing the act as a cultural response to what they saw as unusual occurrences.
Police later intervened to restore calm. Lukaya Division Police Commander Cyrus Besimire arrived at the scene, engaged the family, and supervised the return of the body 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 resumed the journey under police escort, accompanied by boda boda riders and residents. It broke down again at Bbajja shortly after leaving Lukaya, and later at Mukoko, further complicating the trip. Police directed the driver to move the vehicle off the main road to avoid disrupting traffic as investigations into the repeated breakdowns continued….See More
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