By Flavia Ajok
Drama ensued in Pakanyi Sub County in Masindi district after parents fought for a body of a 14-year-old girl.
This was in Kiruuli village after the death of the girl only identified as Lillian, who died on Tuesday, sparking off a fight over her between her mother only identified as Caroline a resident of Kiruli and her father Ausi Kiiza, a resident of Katumba village.
According to residents, the fight ensued when Caroline who had reportedly stayed with the girl at her parents’ home since her childhood took her body to her home for burial from the hospital but Kiiza, who is said to have neglected the child since childhood also wanted to bury her at his home.
The body spent Tuesday night at Caroline’s home where even the grave was dug only for Kiiza to appear demanding the body, sparking off a bitter exchange between the two sides backed by their respective relatives.
The deceased’s mother’s family demanded compensation of five million shillings and hospital expenses since their granddaughter passed away at the hospital, and they incurred costs which Kiiza declined to pay.
ASP Solomon Mugisa, the Albertine North Community liaisons officer told our reporter on Thursday that they intervened, convened a meeting between the two parties and resolved to bury the deceased at the mother’s place.
Mugisa added that the standoff lasted several hours and later attracted the intervention of the police that helped the two sides to reach an agreement that the body be buried at Caroline’s home.
Mugisa added that by the time the agreement was reached it was already late which forced the relatives to postpone the burial to Thursday.
He warned the public against such an act, saying it amounts to disturbing the peace of the deceased. Mugisa advised the relatives to always explore amicable and peaceful means of settling disagreements by seeking the intervention of leaders to avoid such situations.
