Gulu, Uganda: Babra Isomu, a 30-year-old mortuary attendant at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, has worked in the field for five years. Growing up in a stressful home filled with anger, she joined the mortuary job to support her family and, surprisingly, found it calmer than her home life. She learned as she worked and found peace in the job.
In Uganda, there is no Mortuary Science or related funeral services at institutions like the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences (UIAHMS) in Kampala. Another option is Zuriel Technical Training Institute, which offers Mortuary Science programs in Uganda, in addition to its programs in Kenya
During an interview, Babra Isomu shared that she took up mortuary work not by choice, but to support her family in a time of need. She appealed to any organization that can help her pursue education in theatre assistance, as this opportunity would help transform her life and better equip her to support her family.
“Every time I feel like walking away from this mortuary job, I think about my family’s struggles and the sacrifices they’ve made for me. Their hardship and suffering give me the strength to push through the toughest days
Babra Isomu described her month-long stint at the mortuary as a nightmare. Having never seen a dead body before, she struggled to cope with handling unclaimed bodies, which left her deeply traumatized. For a month, she barely slept and couldn’t close her eyes without being haunted by visions of the dead.
Isomu added that as the sole breadwinner of her family, her monthly salary of 500,000 is insufficient to support them all. She struggles to make ends meet while also trying to save for her future, but finds it incredibly challenging.
Authorities at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital this year have raised concerns over the increasing congestion at the Gulu Regional hospital mortuary, which is overwhelmed by a growing number of unclaimed bodies from across Gulu City.
Bruno Atyang, Principal Psychiatric Officer and Head of the Mental Health Unit at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, said that while mortuary attendants receive training on handling the work environment, it’s also crucial for them to seek hospital support if they start experiencing nightmares or other psychological distress from repeatedly seeing dead bodies.
“Mortuary workers shouldn’t isolate themselves; being around people who can offer emotional support can help clear the stress and fears that build up from what they’ve seen at work.”
He appealed to mortuary workers to adopt healthy coping mechanisms, such as playing football, netball, or sharing stories, to manage stress and prevent post-traumatic disorders, rather than resorting to alcohol and smoking, which can lead to health complications.
The father, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed his distress and shame, saying he feels unhappy seeing his only daughter work at the mortuary just to keep the family from starving and yet he was supposed to be the one providing for the family
“As a parent, my dream was for my kids to get a quality education and build a better life for themselves. But growing up in a poor family, financial struggles made it hard for me to give them the opportunities I knew they deserved”
He added that he dropped out of school in primary six, which limited his job prospects and trapped his family in poverty. Desperate to make ends meet, he reluctantly allowed his daughter to take a job at a mortuary not because he wanted but to bailed the family out of anger
Betty Aol Ocan, Member of Parliament for Gulu City, praised Babra for choosing to work, noting that many girls facing anger at home often turn to men or resort to prostitution. She commended Babra for opting to work in mortuary services as a way to support her family.
“Seeing girls suffer and endure pain due to anger is painful. The impact of anger and violence in their homes can be devastating, leading to long-term consequences. We need to protect and support these girls, providing them with safe spaces and opportunities for a brighter future.”
She appealed to the government to consider increasing the salaries of mortuary attendants in regional hospitals and to establish an allowance system to ensure they take home a decent income, thereby alleviating their financial struggles
Richard Okello, a Gulu City resident, urged the government to tackle poverty at the household level, to avoid cases of anger in families saying the Parish Development Model is insufficient due to widespread corruption that prevents services from reaching local communities.
“If the government could prioritize addressing poverty at the household level, families in Uganda would experience a significant reduction in stress and anger, leading to more harmonious and stable family environments.”
He urged the government to provide scholarships to mortuary attendants, enhancing their education and skills, and empowering them to provide quality services while improving their socio-economic status and combating workplace discrimination.
In Uganda, the basic qualification for a Mortuary Attendant is a Uganda Certificate of Education (O’ Level) with passes in English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, though some roles may accept a certificate in Mortuary Techniques or equivalent from a recognized institution.
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