A dramatic and unsettling incident unfolded along the Kampala–Masaka highway when a family transporting the body of their relative for burial was forced to stop after their vehicle broke down repeatedly under unclear circumstances. What began as a normal funeral journey quickly turned into confusion, fear, and an unusual response from mourners.
The family had set off from Nabbingo at around 7pm, heading to Kisoro in western Uganda to lay to rest Moses Ahimbisibwe, a 46-year-old boda boda rider. According to relatives, the vehicle was in good condition at the start of the journey, and there were no immediate signs of trouble.
However, shortly after departure, the vehicle—a Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa—began experiencing intermittent mechanical issues. The driver reportedly managed to keep moving for some distance, but the situation worsened as the night progressed.
By the early hours of the morning, the vehicle broke down completely in Lukaya, bringing the journey to a sudden halt. Efforts to restart it failed, leaving mourners stranded by the roadside in growing frustration and uncertainty.
With no immediate solution in sight, the family decided to remove the coffin from the vehicle and place it beside the road. This drew the attention of passersby and local residents, who gathered to witness the unusual situation.
As time passed and the vehicle refused to start, tension among the mourners began to rise. Some members of the group started to question what could be causing the repeated breakdowns, especially since the vehicle had been inspected before departure.
Geoffrey Tibihika, a family member who was coordinating the burial arrangements, explained that the situation quickly became overwhelming. He noted that the repeated mechanical failures left many people confused and anxious.
Adding to the tension were remarks reportedly made by the deceased before his death. According to family members, Ahimbisibwe had once suggested he would “cause trouble” after his passing, a statement that some mourners remembered at that moment.
These remarks contributed to growing speculation among the group, with some individuals beginning to suspect that the situation might have a supernatural explanation. Fear and belief mixed in a way that intensified emotions at the scene.
In the midst of this confusion, a section of the mourners took an unusual step. They struck the coffin with sticks, claiming it was a cultural response to unexplained occurrences and a way of addressing what they believed was causing the delay.
The act shocked onlookers and further heightened the already tense atmosphere. Some people watched in disbelief, while others tried to intervene and calm the situation before it escalated further.
Police were alerted and quickly responded to the scene. The Lukaya Division Police Commander, Cyrus Besimire, arrived and took charge of the situation, engaging with the family and restoring order.
Authorities advised the mourners to remain calm and avoid actions that could escalate tensions or disrupt public peace. After discussions with police, the body was returned to the vehicle as efforts were made to resume the journey.
The vehicle eventually started again and continued under police escort. It was accompanied by boda boda riders and curious residents who followed the procession, eager to see how the situation would unfold.
However, the challenges did not end there. Shortly after leaving Lukaya, the vehicle broke down again at Bbajja, raising fresh concerns among the mourners and reinforcing earlier fears.
The journey faced yet another setback when the vehicle stalled again at Mukoko. These repeated breakdowns made it difficult for the family to proceed and added to the emotional strain of an already difficult situation.
Police officers directed the driver to move the vehicle off the main road to prevent traffic disruption. At the same time, they began looking into the possible mechanical causes of the breakdowns.
Local leaders and residents shared mixed reactions to the incident. Some believed the issue was purely mechanical, while others felt there could be deeper explanations behind the unusual series of events.
Isa Male Wasswa, the Lukaya defence secretary, noted that such incidents are rare and often leave people searching for answers. He acknowledged that different individuals interpret such events in their own ways.
By the time of reporting, the family was still making arrangements to ensure the body reaches Kisoro for burial. Despite the challenges, they remained determined to complete the journey and give their loved one a proper send-off.
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