KISORO UGANDA – Community members in Kisoro District and a grieving family from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are accusing a local council chairperson of holding a deceased body for ransom.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The controversy centers on Johnson Ngomanziza, the LC I Chairperson of Busigi Village, who is alleged to have blocked the repatriation of a 19-year-old Congolese national’s body unless the family paid an unlawful fee of 200,000 Ugandan Shillings (approximately $53).
The incident followed the tragic death of Sadic Bunani, a young man from the DRC’s North Kivu Province. His aunt, Florida Ntakirutimana, stated that her nephew was critically ill and died on Friday evening while traveling from Kampala to his home.
Ntakirutimana reported that the situation escalated rapidly after she informed Chairperson Ngomanziza of the death. She claims he arrived with a group of men who allegedly assaulted her instead of offering assistance.
“My nephew was sick and died at my home. After the chairperson and his men assaulted me, I was rescued by neighbors. Amidst the chaos, he demanded we pay 200,000 shillings as ransom for my nephew’s body before it could be taken for burial,” recounted Ntakirutimana.
Cue in: Florida recounts the incident. RR
The mother of the deceased, Rose Uzamukunda, confirmed that upon traveling from the DRC to retrieve her son’s body, the family’s efforts were halted by the financial demand, despite having brought a traditional stretcher for the purpose.
She revealed that her son had traveled to Kampala for casual work without informing the family and was returning home to seek medical treatment when he passed away.
“We were blocked by the Chairperson from taking our son’s body unless we paid the money he demanded. We had no choice but to return home with our stretcher empty, unable to proceed with our burial plans,” Uzamukunda said.
Cue in: Rose on repatriation Sabotage. RR
Rutabagisha Emmanuel, a leader from Songa Parish in Busanza Sub-County in the DRC, expressed dismay at the LC1 chairperson’s actions, criticizing them as unacceptable and a failure of leadership.
Following an intervention from Ugandan authorities, which was prompted by a report from Rutabagisha Emmanuel, the body of Sadic Bunani was released and transported across the border for a peaceful burial in the DRC.
Cue in: Emmanuel on interventions. RR
Residents of Busigi Village are now demanding accountability, calling on the Kisoro District Police and the RDC to take immediate action against Johnson Ngomanziza.
Community demands include the immediate arrest and prosecution of Johnson Ngomanziza and full payment for Florida Ntakirutimana’s assault-related medical bills.
Cue in: Residents vox pop. RR
Despite unsuccessful efforts by the media to reach Chairperson Ngomanziza for comment, the case has highlighted serious issues of governance and alleged exploitation in border communities, where frequent cross-border interactions often create vulnerabilities.
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