POLICE, POLITICIANS FIGHT FOR BABY'S BODY

Police arrest the driver of the ambulance that was carrying the body of the toddler. Photo by Stephen Wandera 

By Ivan Okuda & Stephen Otage

Kampala.
Three days after Ryan Ssemaganda was run over and killed by a car belonging to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), he is yet to find rest—as his death yesterday became fodder for a contest between Opposition politicians and the police.

The body of two-year-old Baby Ryan, as he was fondly called, was again returned to the city centre from his parents’ home in Masajja Village in Wakiso District following the advice of the Lord Mayor, Mr Erias Lukwago.

Mr Lukwago, who visited the family in the morning before a decision was made to bring the baby’s body to Parliament in protest, said he wanted KCCA to atone in writing.

He said: “I advised the family to insist that KCCA issues a written commitment atoning for the damages. We also cannot bury without a post mortem report and official government communication. That complicates the legal process and we don’t want to exhume when we can get the details now.”

However, security led by Kampala South Regional Police Commander James Ruhweza barred the ambulance from accessing Parliament using the gate next to the Office of the President.

“We don’t want a dead body in Parliament. Go and bury him, don’t disturb the peace of the dead,” Mr Ruhweza ordered as a curious public gathered around.
In no time, police compelled the driver of the ambulance to return the body to Masajja amidst protests by the family who demanded to take the body to the House.

The mother of the child, 22-year-old Madinah Namutebi looked on in tears as police deployment and onlookers’ presence became heavier. The driver of the ambulance finally conceded drove away followed by a three-car police convoy. However, somewhere on Jinja Road he stopped, prompting police to arrest him and bundle him onto a truck.

Police escort the ambulance carrying the body of toddler Ryan Ssemaganda back to Masajja after they blocked it from accessing Parliament. Photo by Stephen Wandera

As the scuffle raged, paralysing traffic, a relative in the ambulance flashed the body of the baby, wrapped in deep blue bed sheets and a mat at onlookers, accusing KCCA of inhumane treatment.
The police then drove the car back to Masajja, with Mr Ruhweza making a final plea.

“The family should not allow politicians to get capital from this tragedy. Lukwago and Lukyamuzi incited them and ran away. The driver of the KCCA car, a one Baguma is at CPS. We shall charge him with causing a fatal accident.”

Developments
By last evening, Baby Ryan was yet to be buried with his uncle, Mr Ismail Yiga, saying: “We have halted burial arrangements until Jennifer Musisi apologises to us and takes personal responsibility.” We also learnt that some members of the family, on advice of the police, had agreed to meet KCCA officials.

The meeting at City Hall was still going on by press time. There was a scuffle as police barred KCCA councillor Allan Ssewanyana from joining the meeting.
CREDIT SOURCE: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police--politicians-fight-for-baby-s-body/-/688334/2529948/-/pjcht8z/-/index.html