Thugs vandalise Ivan Ssemwanga’s grave

Unknown suspected thugs on Wednesday vandalized late socialite Ivan Ssemwanga’s grave in Nakaliro village, Kayunga Town, Kayunga District.

A relative only identified as Wamala, who stays in the ancestral home where Ssemwanga was buried said he was passing by the grave to the garden on Wednesday morning when he saw a big hole had dug in sides of grave.

“I got shocked when I saw the hole and when I went nearer, I realized that a big hole had been dug up to the concrete of the grave,” he said.

He added: “I think they wanted to steal the money that was thrown in the grave and his skull.”

Because of the concrete wall, the thugs failed to reach the body.

Another family member said he suspected that traditional healers were behind the act and wanted to steal Ssemwanga’s skull.

Ssemwanga who was the leader of Rich Gang crew died in May 2017 and had a lavish burial with members of his crew throwing money into his grave.

After his burial, police was deployed to guard his grave for two weeks.

The Kayunga District Police Commander, Mr George Obia said they are investigating the matter so that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

The Kayunga deputy RDC Yahaya Were said security would investigate the matter to find out who was behind the act.

“It is illegal to disturb the peace of the dead,” Mr Were said.

Shortly after his burial, two concerned citizens sued A plus and Bank of Uganda for allowing Ssemwanga to be buried with legal tender but court dismissed the case.

As news Ssemwanga’s attempted exhumation spread into the area, people rushed to the burial ground to have a look at the grave but family members blocked them.

Acts of exhuming dead bodies are rampant in Kayunga District with police blaming the act on traditional healers.