A somber mood has descended upon Sseke Main Village in Kinoni Ward A, Kinoni Town Council, Lwengo District, after residents made a grim discovery - their neighbor, 50-year-old Lugemwa Banku, lay dead in his home. The unsettling find came when villagers noticed an unusual stench emanating from the dwelling, prompting them to investigate.
According to local council chairman Hajji Bbalula Mustafa, the deceased had lived alone and hadn't been seen for three days before the discovery. "We immediately alerted Kinoni Police Station upon making this tragic find," Mustafa stated. Police, led by OC Gume Akisoferi, quickly responded to secure the scene.
Villagers struggled to comprehend how their neighbor could have passed away unnoticed for days. Some residents initially suspected foul play, but preliminary investigations suggest natural causes. The community pooled funds to transport the body for burial, though the exact cause of death remains undetermined.
Dr. Twaha Kagabo, a respected community leader and representative for Bukoto South, visited the scene and issued a sobering warning about alcoholism and isolation. "This tragedy highlights the dangers of excessive drinking and living alone without regular check-ins," he cautioned, urging residents to look out for one another.
The deceased's relatives, led by Walugembe Ramadan, expressed profound grief over the incident. "We're devastated by how he was found," Ramadan shared, while thanking Dr. Kagabo for contributing 60,000 shillings toward funeral arrangements.
As Sseke Main Village prepares to lay Lugemwa Banku to rest, the tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of community bonds and vigilance in rural Uganda. Local leaders have pledged to establish regular welfare checks for elderly residents to prevent similar occurrences.
Police continue their investigations while the community reflects on how to strengthen its social fabric to ensure no villager suffers such a lonely fate again.
