The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Luwero town council has suspended the involvement of a mortuary attendant and a casual laborer in handling the burials of unclaimed bodies due to their demonstration over unpaid allowances. George Kallibala, a mortuary attendant, and Rogers Bulime Kakumba, a casual laborer at Luwero Hospital, protested by dumping two decomposing bodies at the Luwero town council offices.
They were demanding outstanding allowances totaling sh990,000 covering the period from April to November 2023.
Following a crisis meeting chaired by Innocent Asaba, the Luwero Chief Administrative Officer, the two were required to issue apologies for their demonstration. However, the town council disclaimed any agreement to provide them with allowances and directed them to refrain from conducting any burials on behalf of the council.
Chris Buwembo, the Luwero LC 3 Chairperson, clarified that the town council is not legally bound to disburse the said allowances as the hospital falls under the district’s jurisdiction. Buwembo detailed the town council’s intention to hire designated casual workers for the interment of unclaimed bodies specifically within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, the council expressed its reluctance to cover burial expenses for bodies recovered from its area.
When approached for comments, both Bulime and Kalibbala declined to provide statements, as did the hospital administration. Dr. Steven Magera, the hospital’s medical superintendent, highlighted in an October letter addressed to town clerk Lydia Nabaasa that an agreement was previously made for the town council to remunerate the attendants for handling the burials of unclaimed bodies.
Magera emphasized the town council’s legal obligation under the Public Health Act to ensure proper and timely burials. Erastus Kibirango, Luwero LC 5 Chairperson, emphasized the council’s responsibility to manage the interment of unclaimed bodies and urged adherence to prior agreements regarding the attendants’ allowances.
In a separate incident, Luwero Police discovered two unclaimed bodies in Kamira sub-county. John Ojokuna, Luwero’s District Police Commander, highlighted the practice of transporting bodies to Luwero Hospital due to its mortuary facilities and the availability of a pathologist.
However, Police officials expressed their disapproval of the attendants’ use of dead bodies as a means of negotiation for allowances, leading to the initiation of a General Enquiry file for investigation.
Additionally, Luwero Hospital faces challenges with inadequate mortuary facilities, resulting in bodies being stored on cement floors and causing a persistent unpleasant odor in the hospital premises.
An estimated average of three bodies is received at Luwero Hospital every week, sourced from various incidents including accidents.”
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URN
Hm two persons together earn
123,750/= per month as facilitation for disposing of unclaimed human bodies
These un claimed are entitled to descent burial
The individuals to handle should be provided with material to ensure their safety
Failure to carry out timely removal of unclaimed bodies creates an unfavourable environment
The list is endless
One would imagine this becomes a priority area
Indeed the method used by the two ( Undesirable to some) turns out to be the most effective way of communication to an insensitive unit
Local governments need to make informed decisions, and the community should demand for accountability
Sometime back a local government vehicle kept dumping non biodegradable waste on private land; it took the owner some time to work out a solution; that was removal from and onto the road reserve
The next act has been cutting down tree cover and shrubs to divert run off water into the same private land
Chairperson, there could better planned road drainage on the Busokwe stretch ( Kalule towards Luteete)