KISORO, Uganda — A funeral procession in Uganda descended into confusion and controversy after a vehicle transporting a body for burial repeatedly broke down along the Kampala–Masaka Highway, prompting some mourners to strike the corpse in a moment of distress.
The family was travelling from Nabbingo to Kisoro to bury Moses Ahimbisibwe, 46, when the incident unfolded.
According to relatives, the journey began at around 7pm without incident. However, the vehicle, a Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa, soon began 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 efforts to restart the vehicle failed, mourners removed the body and placed it by the roadside, drawing the attention of passers-by and local residents.
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, comments that unsettled some members of the group as the journey took an unexpected turn.
As the breakdowns persisted, anxiety among mourners grew, with some attributing the situation to supernatural causes, a belief that remains deeply rooted in parts of society during unexplained events.
In the ensuing tension, a section of mourners struck the corpse with sticks, describing the act as a cultural response to unusual occurrences.
Authorities later intervened to restore calm. Cyrus Besimire, the Lukaya Division Police Commander, arrived at the scene and engaged the family before 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 journey resumed under police escort, accompanied by boda boda riders and local residents. However, the vehicle broke down again at Bbajja and later at Mukoko, further delaying the burial arrangements.
Police directed the driver to move the vehicle off the main road to avoid disrupting traffic, as investigations into the mechanical issues continued.
The incident sparked varied reactions among residents, with some attributing the breakdowns to mechanical failure, while others pointed to possible supernatural explanations.
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Local leader Isa Male Wasswa said the situation had left many trying to interpret events through different lenses.
“This is not something we see every day. People are trying to make sense of it in different ways,” Wasswa said.
The episode highlights the intersection of grief, cultural beliefs, and uncertainty, particularly in high-stress situations such as funeral journeys.
In many communities, unexplained disruptions can quickly take on symbolic or spiritual interpretations, influencing behaviour in ways that reflect longstanding traditions and social norms.
By press time, the family was still making alternative arrangements to ensure the body reaches Kisoro for burial, as authorities continue to monitor the situation.
