DR Congo Family Rejects Relative’s Body at Busanza Border Over Compensation Demands

Diplomatic and community tensions rose at the Busanza border on Wednesday after relatives of a Congolese man refused to receive his body, demanding compensation and full burial support from the Ugandan government following his death in police custody.

The deceased, 30-year-old Iteringanya Uwimana, died on May 7 at Nyabwishenya Police Post in Kisoro District under controversial circumstances.

According to reports, Uwimana had been arrested on May 6 after a fight at a bar and was charged with threatening violence. He was later found dead in the police cell the following morning.

Authorities allege that instead of reporting the death, some officers at the police post colluded with civilians involved in the earlier assault to secretly bury the body in a tea plantation. The remains were later discovered wrapped in sacks after suspects allegedly shifted the burial site.

Following a court order, Kigezi Regional Police exhumed the body on May 12 for a postmortem at Kisoro General Hospital. Four police officers and two civilians have since been arrested in connection with the case.

On Wednesday, Kisoro District Police Commander SP Edatu Cosmas attempted to hand over the body to the family at the border, but the process failed after relatives rejected it despite an apology from Ugandan authorities.

Family members said they could not afford burial expenses and demanded compensation for Uwimana’s children and dependents.

Local business people in Mupaka Town Council contributed Shs500,000 towards funeral arrangements, but the family rejected the offer, calling it inadequate. The body was later returned to Kisoro Hospital mortuary after hours of unsuccessful talks.

The incident has reportedly strained relations between communities on both sides of the border, with reports emerging that some Congolese nationals had begun destroying Ugandan gardens in retaliation.

Authorities are now seeking a court order to bury the body in a public cemetery if the family continues to reject the remains.