The Kisoro district in Uganda has been facing a problem of inadequate cemetery space, with the municipal cemetery located in Gatovu cell in southern division running out of space.
This has led to repeated half burials, exposure of dead peoples’ remains, and a foul smell in the area.
In response to this issue, the Kisoro municipality Mayor, Ndyana Richard, suggested that the Kisoro district local government should provide a portion of its neighboring land to the municipal cemetery. However, Kisoro district LCV Chairman, Abel Bizimana, has stated that the district will not be giving up its land for this purpose.
Bizimana argues that it is the duty of the Kisoro municipal council to ensure that all unclaimed dead bodies, both for humans and animals, are buried.
He suggests that the municipality should buy its own land for a cemetery, the same way it did to acquire garbage land.
Bizimana also advises the municipality to establish a cemetery management team to ensure that professional burials are conducted in order to respect the rights of the deceased.
He notes that the UNHCR may support the district in obtaining land for another cemetery site.
Mayor Ndyana Richard, however, insists that the municipality has not failed to maintain its lands, but has instead purchased additional lands. He urges the district leadership to cooperate with the municipality in finding a solution to the cemetery space issue.
In order to move forward, both the district and municipality need to engage in constructive dialogue to find a solution that works for everyone.
It is essential that proper burial procedures are maintained to respect the rights of the deceased, and a new cemetery site may need to be acquired to accommodate the growing need for burial space.
The post Kisoro Municipality and District at Odds over Cemetery Space Shortage appeared first on The Ankole Times.
