Adonia Atuheire | Tayari News
KISORO – Family members of a 30-year-old Congolese man have refused to receive his body after he allegedly died in police custody in Uganda. The body was secretly buried by police officers and civilians before being exhumed days later.
The deceased, identified as Uwimana, was found dead at Nyabwishenya Police Post on 7th May 2026 at around 8:00 a.m.
According to police, Uwimana was assaulted by two civilians, Nsabimana John Bosco and Hakuzimana Mpunuseni, along with others still at large, on the evening of 6th May 2026 at a drinking joint after he allegedly threatened them. He was handed over to the police, charged with threatening violence, and detained.
On the morning of 7th May, Uwimana was discovered dead in custody. Instead of following proper procedure and informing the District Police Commander, officers allegedly colluded with the suspects to secretly bury the body the same night.
Four police officers attached to Nyabwishenya Police Post, Cpl. Musabyimana Wickliffe, PC Apeti Kizito, PC Yebuze Moris, and a fourth officer (arrested on return from leave) have been arrested. The two civilians, Nsabimana John Bosco and Hakuzimana Mpunuseni, are also in custody.
On Tuesday, 12th May 2026, a team from the Kigezi Regional Police, led by Regional CID D/SSP Wathum Benson, along with the police surgeon, Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) and Kisoro territorial police, exhumed the body following a court order.
The body was found buried in a tea plantation belonging to retired Rev. Mbereye Christopher in Nyabwishenya Sub-county, wrapped in two sacks. Suspects reportedly first attempted to bury it on the land of Nizeyimana Kamara but changed location due to the hard ground.
The body was taken to Kisoro General Hospital for a postmortem examination conducted by the Kigezi Regional Police Surgeon.
On Wednesday, 13th May 2026, Kisoro police, led by DPC SP Edatu Cosmas, attempted to repatriate the body at Busanza border post. Hundreds of Congolese relatives had gathered to receive it, but the handover turned chaotic.
After a meeting between Ugandan and Congolese leaders, DPC Edatu apologised for the incident, describing it as the actions of isolated individuals and not representative of the entire police force. He assured the family that Uganda authorities would ensure justice.
“Despite whatever has happened, the Ugandan government remains committed to ensuring transparency and accountability with the government of the Republic of Congo. This is why we see these days we move freely. You can enter, we cross to your side because we are one person. But one thing I want to request all of us is that always, when things happen, let us not generalise.”
However, when relatives learned that no financial support accompanied the postmortem report, they protested and refused to accept the body. They demanded that the Uganda police cover burial expenses, arguing that the deceased had been supporting his family and paying school fees for his children.
“They want us to go and sell our plot of land to bury our son? In our home, when an old person dies, we slaughter a bull, buy posho and drinks during the burial. Where do they think that money will come from?” one relative questioned. Another added: “He has been looking after his family and paying school fees to his children, who is going to do that?”
Busanza Groupment Chief Nizeyimana Erick tried to persuade the family to accept the body, but they stood firm.
Local Ugandan business community members in Mupaka Town Council mobilised UGX 500,000, which DPC Edatu offered to the family through the Congolese chief to assist with transportation and burial. The relatives rejected the amount as insufficient.
“Kindly, I have an envelope of 500,000 shillings. People of Uganda, especially Mupaka have contributed because of the love that they had for the deceased. So, I would request that you allow me to hand it over with the body to help you in transportation.” DPC Edatu pleads
After more than two hours of negotiations, police returned the body to Kisoro Hospital mortuary, awaiting a court order to bury it at a public cemetery.
The outgoing Bufumbira North MP Nizeyimana John Kamara, reported that some Congolese had begun destroying Ugandan crop gardens and threatening revenge. He urged both sides not to generalise the actions of individuals and called on Ugandans planning to cross into DR Congo to remain vigilant.
“I have received reports that some Congolese have started destroying Ugandan crop gardens and are threatening revenge. This is unfortunate. We should not create enmity between our two communities because of isolated individuals. I urge our Congolese brothers and sisters to allow justice to take its course, and I call on Ugandans crossing into DR Congo to remain vigilant.” Kamara advises
Mupaka Town Council Mayor Ndekezi Emmanuel expressed disappointment, noting that the refusal could set a dangerous precedent for Ugandans who die in DR Congo. He highlighted that the deceased had a Ugandan wife and that relations between the two communities at the border had previously been harmonious.
“We have been living in harmony with our neighbours here for a long time. People from both sides cross freely and do business together. You can even see that the deceased had a Ugandan wife; his second wife is right here in Uganda. This refusal sets a very bad precedent that could damage our good relations at the border.” Mayor Ndekezi said