Gulu Cemetery; Where urban immigrants struggle to find unmarked grave of loved ones

Gulu, Uganda:- A devastating ordeal unfolded as a grieving urban immigrant relative embarked on a futile search for their loved one’s final resting place in the unfamiliar Gulu city cemetery. The absence of a grave marker or sign plunged the family into an abyss of despair, as they were unable to locate the grave, leaving them with a sense of abandonment and hopelessness.

The pain of losing a loved one was exacerbated by the cruel fate of not being able to visit their grave, a harsh reminder of the importance of dignity in death.

The Gulu City Cemetery, located approximately 10 kilometres along Moroto Road in Atede B Cell, east of Gulu City’s business center, was originally acquired by the former Gulu Municipality for the burial of unclaimed or unidentified bodies.

Imagine the crushing heartache of a mother, frantically scouring the burial ground for her child’s grave, only to find nothing. No marker, no indication, no solace. The grief of losing a loved one is mercilessly compounded by the anguish of not being able to find their final resting place.

The urban immigrants’ plea to the city authorities is a heart-wrenching cry for help to install signs at the burial ground. Provide a glimmer of comfort to those drowning in an ocean of sorrow. Help them find their loved ones, and in doing so, find a fragment of peace amidst the overwhelming agony.

Lokut Ivone, a Congolese urban immigrant, shared a heart-wrenching tale of loss and devastation that has left her with an unhealing wound. Eight years ago, we laid my son to rest at the Gulu City cemetery ground, but his grief was brutally compounded when she returned to visit his grave, only to find that she couldn’t locate it.

Lokut’s voice cracked as she whispered, “Sometimes, my son appears in my dreams, asking for help, but I have nothing to offer, only prayers. We need money to do what’s necessary to find his grave and take him home, where he belongs.” The weight of her words hung in the air like a challenge, a desperate cry for help in a world that seemed to have forgotten her son’s existence.

Lokut Ivone said her eyes welled up with tears as she recounted the anguish that had been consuming her for years. My son’s grave had been lost in the vast expanse of the Gulu city burial ground, leaving me with an unrelenting sense of guilt and despair.

She made a heartfelt appeal to the government to establish a Sacco fund specifically for the Congolese community, aiming to enhance their livelihoods and provide critical support during difficult times.

“This fund would serve as a vital safety net, offering financial assistance to help them cope with challenges such as repatriating the body of a loved one who passed away in Uganda.”

Lokut’s plea is a desperate cry for mercy she implores the authorities to install signs at the burial ground, so that she and others like her can find some semblance of peace and closure, and avoid the unbearable agony of losing a loved one twice – once to death, and again to the uncertainty of their final resting place.

A concerned individual, who wished to remain anonymous, brought to light a pressing issue affecting the dignity of burials at the city burial ground. They emphasized that the money provided by the city to those responsible for burying the deceased is woefully inadequate, necessitating a substantial increase.

He added that the individual highlighted that the meager payments often lead to a rushed burial process, as workers strive to make the most of the limited funds.

This not only compromises the dignity of the deceased but also puts undue pressure on the workers, who are forced to prioritize efficiency over reverence. Furthermore, the inadequate compensation can tempt workers to seek additional income through unscrupulous means, undermining the integrity of the burial process.

The anonymous individual’s plea serves as a poignant reminder of the need for fair compensation and respect for those responsible for laying the deceased to rest. It is essential that the city authorities reassess the current payment structure and consider a significant increase to ensure that burials are conducted with the dignity and reverence they deserve.

Micheal Rubanga, the health inspector of Gulu City Council, uncovered a shocking truth about the burial practices in the city. In a startling admission, Rubanga revealed that workers at the burial ground are often compelled to resort to a makeshift measure to keep track of the graves. This desperate solution involves placing a bottle on top of every grave, crudely labelled with their names and the date they have died, to help their relative track them

“We want to improve the public cemetery burial ground and, in the near future, ensure that signs are placed on their graves to make it easier for relatives to access the body of their beloved one who has died.”

This improvised system is a heartbreaking necessity, driven by the dire need to facilitate the recovery of bodies by relatives. The workers’ actions are a testament to the overwhelming challenges they face in maintaining a dignified and organized burial ground.

The lack of resources and infrastructure forces them to rely on this rudimentary method, which serves as a stark reminder of the systemic failures that perpetuate human suffering.

He also added that on January 27th, Gulu City received a UGX 80 million project awarded to Aka Construction Uganda Limited for constructing a perimeter wall around the city cemetery. All this aims to help develop and improve the place

Felix Okello, a distraught resident of Pageya, unveiled a shocking truth that has left the community reeling in anguish. With a heavy heart, he revealed that the burial practices at the Gulu City burial ground are nothing short of inhumane.

The graves, he lamented, are woefully inadequate, barely scratched into the earth, leaving the deceased vulnerable to the elements and wild animals. This gruesome discovery has ignited widespread outrage, as the community grapples with the unconscionable reality that their loved ones are not being laid to rest with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“We need to think about the dead and ensure we give them a dignified and befitting burial, as a sign of respect and to help appease their spirits. This will bring them peace and happiness in the afterlife, and also serve as a lasting tribute to their memory.”

He appealed to the Gulu City Council to allocate a sufficient budget to address the pressing issues at the Gulu City cemetery, ensuring that the community doesn’t suffer when government support is available.

This budget will help mitigate concerns such as poor maintenance, inadequate documentation, and environmental pollution, ultimately providing a dignified resting place for the deceased

Micheal Otim, the Prime Minister of the Acholi institution, shed light on a poignant tradition practiced in Acholi when someone has been buried without their family’s knowledge or when a grave has been lost. In such cases, a ritual is performed to facilitate the allocation of the lost grave, providing closure and solace to the grieving family

Otim emphasized the importance of proper identification and record-keeping in public burial places. He stressed that the government or responsible authorities should ensure that each grave is clearly marked with identifiable features, making it easier for relatives to locate their loved ones’ final resting places.

By addressing these concerns, the authorities can demonstrate their commitment to honouring the deceased and supporting the grieving families, while also preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of different cultures in Acholi community.

Betty Aol Ocan, the Woman Member of Parliament for Gulu City, emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the dignity of the deceased at the Gulu City burial ground.

She stressed that it is crucial to protect the dead bodies, ensuring they are treated with respect and care. To achieve this, Ocan pledged to engage with the city authorities to find a lasting solution, guaranteeing that the burial ground is managed with the dignity and respect it deserves

Ocan pledged to utilize her position to advocate for the installation of grave markings, engaging with relevant stakeholders and authorities to facilitate this initiative. Her efforts aim to create a more respectful and organized environment within the burial ground, where families can pay their respects with ease and reverence

Ortanse Lydia Kwakale, an urban immigrant, shared a poignant and devastating experience that has left her with an unhealing wound. Five years ago, her young son passed away, and in the midst of her grief, she faced an unthinkable dilemma. Without a place to bury her child, she was forced to borrow a small plot of land for the burial.

However, her ordeal was far from over. The land she had borrowed was later sold to an investor, and despite her desperate efforts, Vivian has been unable to recover her son’s body. The pain of losing her child has been compounded by the anguish of not being able to visit his grave, leaving her with a deep sense of loss and longing.

Lydia’s words are a heartbreaking testament to the struggles faced by urban immigrants in Uganda. “We are passing through pain and agony, but we don’t have the means to transform our lives because our voices are not being heard by anyone since we are not Ugandan.” Her plea is a desperate cry for help, a longing for someone to listen to her story, to understand her pain, and to offer a glimmer of hope.

Uganda currently hosts over 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it the largest refugee-hosting nation in Africa, with the majority originating from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo

As of January 2018, nearly 60,000 refugees have arrived in Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 61 per cent of them are children below 18 years. UNICEF’s interventions are protecting children from the immediate and long-term effects of the emergency.