A widow of a former UPDF officer has threatened legal action against the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) over what she describes as the disrespectful and unlawful handling of her husband’s burial.
Mrs. Margaret Kyarisiima Babumba, through her lawyers of Mwesigwa Rukutana and Company Advocates, has issued a notice of intention to sue the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, demanding an explanation and compensation over the burial of her late husband, Maj Henry Babumba.
According to Ms Babumba, the deceased served in the army from 1972 before joining the UPDF in 1985, accumulating over two decades of service prior to his discharge in 1993.
“Following his discharge, the deceased entered into a contractual agreement with the Air Force as a pilot and ground instructor. His contract was renewed on several occasions, in recognition of his continued service and expertise. In 2016, he was duly awarded a medal in appreciation of his distinguished service,” she states.
She further argues that in recognition of his service, Yoweri Museveni supported the officer’s medical treatment when he fell ill.
Upon his death on December 23, 2025, his body was handed over to the UPDF to organise burial arrangements.
Mrs. Babumba, however, accuses the army of acting in an irregular and unlawful manner by disregarding the deceased’s final wishes and excluding his immediate family from key decisions.
“The UPDF wrongfully released the body of the deceased to his sister, Sarah Babumba, to whom he was long estranged during his lifetime, instead of his lawful widow and her children, our clients, who had the deceased's last wishes and instructions,” she contends.
She also claims that the army failed to accord Maj. Babumba full military burial honours commensurate with his rank, service, and entitlement under UPDF regulations.
Mrs. Babumba says the actions were taken in disregard of communication from her and other immediate family members regarding the deceased’s burial instructions.
In their demands, her lawyers want the UPDF to explain its actions and omissions in handling the burial, as well as to restore, as far as practicable, the honours due to the late officer.
The family is also seeking compensation for emotional distress, indignity, and violation of their rights.
“Should you fail to comply as herein demanded, within 14 days from the date of receipt of this letter, we have firm instructions to institute legal proceedings against the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs for compensation arising from the infringement of the deceased's entitlements and the violation of his final rights, at your cost, embarrassment and peril,” the lawyers state in the notice dated April 8.
