Family Demands UGX 4M from Deputy Chief Justice For Burial Expense

The family of a man who was knocked dead by a vehicle belonging to the convoy of the Deputy Chief Justice, Alphonse Chigamoi Owiny-Dollo is demanding for Shillings 4.1 million for his funeral expense.

Saleh Wepukhulu was knocked dead by a speeding vehicle registration number UG0646J belonging to the convoy of the Deputy Chief Justice.  

The driver, Julius Komakech lost control and knocked Wephukulu dead while trying to dodge a pickup registration UAD 874N being driven by Isaac Wawiyala, a business man in Gulu town who made an unexpected turn along Gulu-Kampala highway on Monday evening. 

The deceased’s family was stranded at Gulu Main Hospital Mortuary on Tuesday afternoon when their pleas to the Deputy Chief Justice through his driver to cover the burial expenses failed to yield results. 

Asman Kalevu, the General Secretary Bamasaba United Group in Gulu where the deceased was a member, says they approached the Deputy Chief Justice’s driver to convey their request to his boss for Shillings 4.1 million for the burial but he instead chased them away.  

The money is needed to transport the deceased’s body to Sironko District, feed the mourners and buy a coffin among other things. 

Kalevu says that as Bamasaba United Group they would contribute money for the burial of their fallen colleague, but since his death was caused by a top government official, he should be made to cover the burial expenses.

According to Kalevu, they will abandon the body at Gulu Central Police Station should the Deputy Chief Justice fail to meet their demands.

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 A relative of the deceased told URN on condition of anonymity that both the police and

the driver of the Deputy Chief Justice are very rude, which has provoked them to take radical action.    

Adija Mugide, the wife of the deceased, says cannot believe that her husband is no more, adding that she learnt about his demise while preparing food for him and their two children. 

The Deputy Chief Justice, Alphonse Chigamoi Owing –Dollo told URN in an interview that he will not meet the burial expense since his driver and the deceased were victims of the same accident.       

He advises the deceased’s family to first establish the causer of the accident before pushing for the burial expense. The postmortem shows that Wepukhulu died of blunt head trauma following the accident.