UGANDA, Mbarara | Real Muloodi News | Mbarara City is on the brink of a crisis as the court ruling in October 2023 led to the loss of the former public cemetery land in Rwobuyenje, Mbarara City South Division. This legal setback has left the city without a cemetery, raising concerns about the proper disposal of unclaimed bodies.
The Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) Executive Director, Dr Celestine Barigye, warns of a potential catastrophe, with unclaimed bodies facing the grim prospect of being dumped in water bodies or left to decay along streets and in bushes.
The situation has escalated to the point where the city lacks the essential infrastructure to handle the deceased. Dr. Barigye emphasises that a city’s progress is hindered without suitable burial grounds, stressing the global significance of preserving cemeteries for the dignified interment of the deceased, including unclaimed bodies.
According to Halson Kagure, spokesperson for MRRH, the remaining available land for burials is less than 50 by 100 feet, a stark inadequacy given the average influx of 20 unclaimed bodies per month, primarily from police sources.
The looming crisis has prompted urgent calls for leaders to find swift solutions. Mbarara City Council Speaker Bonny Tashobya acknowledges the gravity of the situation, emphasising the need for immediate action.
To address the pressing issue, Mbarara City has identified a temporary solution by designating a plot in Kenkombe, Kakoba, within the city’s North Division, as a public burial site.
Assay Abireebe Tumwesigye, the Mbarara Clerk, reveals that the city has finalised plans to gazette land in Kanywa, Mbarara City North, as a cemetery. This initiative aims to provide a lasting solution to the critical shortage of cemetery space.
However, challenges persist as some local leaders express reluctance to host cemeteries in their areas, citing cultural and traditional beliefs.
Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi emphasises the necessity of convincing these leaders, recognising that the city cannot function adequately without accessible and properly managed cemeteries.
As Mbarara grapples with the aftermath of the court’s decision on the former cemetery land, urgent and collaborative efforts are crucial to establish functional and culturally acceptable burial grounds, ensuring the respectful and dignified handling of the deceased in the city.
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