Public outcry as Kisoro government cemetery runs out of burial space

By Byamukama Libino

Kisoro – There is public outcry over improper burials made on the government cemetery located in Gatovu cell, southern division in Kisoro municipality that has always caused exposure of corpses in the district.

It has however been reported on several occasions, the recent being in October 2022 during refugee influx at Nyakabande refugee holding centre.

Speaking to Wallnetnews from in their gardens around the cemetery, locals that preferred anonymity decried the unpleasant state in the area especially stench, exposed bones and intestines.

This was confirmed by the area LC1 chairperson, Habimana Jonbosco who said that the cemetery has a village access footpath used by over 500 people that include children and students. He added that sex workers also dump dead bodies in the surrounding bushes, which attract a bad smell.

He noted that the bad smell and the remains of dead people in the area psychologically affect people using that footpath and students at Muhabura shine secondary school due to their close proximity.

Habimana appealed to municipal authorities to find an alternative land to act as a cemetery so that Gatovu people can also live in a better environment.

The director of Muhabura Shine SS, Semarore Christopher termed the municipal cemetery as a menace and public disaster that any leader who has his people at heart would consider changing its location or managing the burial activities done in it so that dead bodies cannot be exposed.

He added that the school has the capacity to construct a very tall fence and curb consequences caused by the cemetery on learners. Semarore says that the school has also always considered contributing to the municipality so that it buys new land to transfer the cemetery but politicians have always sabotaged the process.

In a phone interview with Wallnetnews, the Kisoro municipality mayor Ndyana Richard said that there is small burial space remaining in the cemetery.

He added that the municipality council that sat on Wednesday 17th February 2023 and resolved that the municipality ask for a portion of land from the district because it has land near the cemetery.