The Police Kisoga Town council, Mukono district is investigating a prophet and family member’s of a man who passed away and his body later kept in the house for days as they prayed for his resurrection.
According to Police, the deceased identified as Ssegawa Asse, a resident of Butinindi, Terere Parish in Ntenjeru–Kisoga Town Council, fell ill three weeks ago at the family’s ancestral home.
However, instead of offering him medical treatment, family members turned to prayer sessions led by a local pastor, Nelima Margret, also known as Nabbi.
It’s reported that Nelima ordered the family members to deny him medication and was subjected to continuous prayers for days by the family and pastor until he died.
Shockingly, the family continued to keep his body inside the house for several days, praying over it with the belief that he would resurrect, even as it began to decompose.
The situation only came to light when neighbours detected a strong stench and went to check on the home where they found the body in an advanced state of decomposition and informed police.
The Kampala Metropolitan Deputy spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire condemned the incident, warning against dangerous religious practices that undermine the right to life and dignity.
“Withholding medical treatment or keeping a deceased person in a home for extended periods in the hope of spiritual intervention is not only dangerous but criminal. Religious beliefs should never override the duty to preserve life” He said.
Owoyesigyire noted that a case of Rash and Neglect was registered at Kisoga Police Station and three people including the deceased’s mother Eseza Nakalzi 65, his sister Susan Nakonde alias ‘Pastor’ and Pastor Nelima as investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The body was taken to hospital for a post-mortem to examine the exact cause of the deceased’s. Death.
