Prime
Kasango burial standoff to be resolved in court
Lawyer Bob Kasango died of heart complications in Luzira Prison. Photo | Abubaker Lubowa .
What you need to know:
- Ms Nice Bitarabeho on March 15 sued her mother-in-law, Ms Rosie Kabise, accusing the latter of blocking the burial of her deceased husband in a place of her choice.
The widow of Bob Kasango has asked the Family Court in Kampala to resolve the protracted standoff on where to bury the remains of the deceased lawyer.
Ms Nice Bitarabeho on March 15 sued her mother-in-law, Ms Rosie Kabise, accusing the latter of blocking the burial of her deceased husband in a place of her choice.
She wants court to order the release of her husband’s body from the funeral home, where it has been since the impasse three weeks ago, and be granted powers to bury him in Gweri Village, Burahya County, Kabarole District. The widow says the couple has land and a country home in the area.
“A restraining order be issued against the respondent (mother-in-law) or anyone claiming any rights through her from interfering with the applicant in burying the late Robert Aldrige Kasango …..” the widow’s suit reads in part.
Kasango’s mother is opposed to burying her son in Fort Portal, arguing that it is the home of his in-laws. She says his body should be taken to his parent’s place in Tororo District, eastern Uganda.
Kasango died of heart complications in Luzira prison on February 27 where he was serving a sentence.
On March 3, dramatic scenes ensued after the funeral service at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero in Kampala when a group of people led by Kasango’s mother grabbed the casket and threw it onto a truck which sped away towards Tororo for burial.
Chaos reins
However, the group was intercepted by police in Namugongo, a city outskirt, and the body returned to the funeral home. Kasango’s body had been scheduled for burial in Fort Portal on March 5.
In her affidavit to support her petition, Ms Bitarabeho contends that her late husband had wished to be buried at their family land in Kabarole.
“After some discussions and while at the vigil prior to the funeral service, a meeting was convened with all the concerned including the respondent (mother-in-law) and it was agreed that the deceased be buried in Fort Portal and all arrangements were made for this to go ahead,” Ms Bitarabeho states in her affidavit.
She, however, accuses her mother-in-law of interfering with her husband’s will.
Ms Bitarabeho, through her lawyers of Mujurizi, Arinaitwe & Byamukama Advocates, has told court that it is only fair, just and equitable that Kasango’s body is unconstitutionally released to his wife for burial.
By yesterday court had not yet fixed a day for hearing the widow’s application.
