Mbarara and its adjoining areas face an imminent crisis as the absence of a designated cemetery raises concerns about the fate of unclaimed deceased individuals, potentially leading to unorthodox disposal measures.
The predicament arose following a legal battle resulting in the loss of the former public graveyard in Rwobuyenje, Mbarara City South Division, leaving the city council grappling with the challenge of where to bury unclaimed bodies.
Dr. Celestine Barigye, the Executive Director of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), emphasized the urgency of the situation, foreseeing a looming crisis due to the city’s lack of burial grounds. He stressed the significance of having proper cemeteries not only for unclaimed bodies but also for those without suitable burial options.
Expressing concern over the diminishing burial space, Halson Kagure, MRRH’s spokesperson, highlighted the limited area left for burying unclaimed bodies. With an average of 20 unclaimed bodies received monthly, the scarcity of available land for burial poses a serious challenge.
City officials echoed these worries, acknowledging the gravity of the issue and emphasizing the immediate need for a resolution. Plans for a temporary burial site in Kenkombe, Kakoba, within the city’s North Division, have been proposed as a short-term solution. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to finalize the allocation of land in Kanywa, Mbarara City North, as a permanent cemetery.
Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi highlighted resistance from some local leaders opposing the establishment of cemeteries in their areas, potentially influenced by cultural or traditional beliefs. Despite these challenges, Kakyebezi stressed the necessity of designated burial sites, underscoring the city’s determination to address this pressing issue.
The lack of a cemetery in Mbarara and surrounding regions has raised alarms about the dignified burial of unclaimed bodies, prompting urgent calls for swift action and resolution from city authorities.
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