The funeral proceedings for the notorious self-confessed criminal, Paddy Sserunjoji, also known as Sobi, have taken an unexpected turn as the Catholic Church in Bukunda, Masaka, has declined to hold prayers for the deceased.
Relatives of the deceased had approached the Catholic Church in Bukunda, the chosen resting place for Sobi, with a request to conduct a funeral mass. However, church leaders reportedly informed them that they had no plans to hold a funeral mass for Sobi, despite his professed belief.
Sobi met his demise on Monday, December 18, during a botched land eviction. Despite his criminal past, his relatives expressed their disappointment at the church's refusal to conduct prayers for him. They argued that Sobi, in addition to his notorious activities, had also served the nation in some capacity.
The bitter relatives asserted that regardless of Sobi's checkered history, he deserved to be prayed for, especially considering his apparent adherence to the Catholic faith. The denial by the church has added an element of tension to the already charged atmosphere surrounding the funeral.
The onlookers who gathered to witness the burial revealed a mixed sentiment among the crowd. Many attendees claimed they did not attend out of sympathy but rather to catch a glimpse of the infamous figure they had seen in TV interviews and on social media.
Sobi's funeral has drawn a large crowd, with hundreds of people from the village and surrounding areas converging to witness the burial. The refusal of the Catholic Church to hold prayers for the deceased has sparked discussions and debates among the community members, further highlighting the complexity of addressing the final rites for a figure with a controversial legacy. As the funeral proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how the community will navigate the delicate balance between acknowledging Sobi's past and observing the customary rituals surrounding death.
