Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-01-25 23:06:41
The body of Ahmad Mukasa Nsanja, a Ugandan student who died in Egyptian police cells, has been returned and laid to rest at his ancestral home in Luwero district. Ahmad Mukasa Nsanja, 30, was a student at Alazhar University in Cairo and was arrested on December 27, 2023, after being found without a visa. He was detained at First Settlement police station and on January 5, 2024, his family received communication from the Ugandan Embassy in Cairo confirming that Mukasa had died in police cells.
Since then, the family and fellow students have been working to raise Shs 15 million to transport Mukasa’s body back to Uganda. His body was brought back into the country on Monday and he was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kigombe village in Luwero sub-county on Tuesday.
During the funeral, Mukasa’s mother, Nusurah Nalwoga, demanded to see her son’s body in the coffin three times to confirm his death. Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa, the Luwero District Kadhi, informed mourners that they are awaiting a copy of the postmortem report detailing the circumstances of Mukasa’s death. The Ugandan Embassy in Egypt informed the family that Ahmad died in police cells and two people are under investigation in connection with the matter.
Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, expressed concern over the circumstances of Mukasa’s death and demanded an explanation from the Ugandan Embassy in Egypt. He also called on the Ugandan parliament to increase budget allocations to missions abroad, enabling them to respond to emergencies like the death of sick Ugandans.
In a letter dated January 5, 2024, the district prosecutor in Egypt ordered an investigation into two individuals over Mukasa’s death and also ordered a postmortem to be carried out, ensuring all those responsible are prosecuted.
The death of Ahmad Mukasa Nsanja has raised questions about the treatment of individuals in police custody abroad. The family and community are seeking justice and answers surrounding the tragic loss of a promising young student.
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