Fresh controversy has emerged over the life and death of Janet Kyakimwa Kirabo, a bishop at Healing International Ministry Church, after revelations made during her burial suggested she had allegedly contracted a secret civil marriage with another man.
The claims, contained in a family report presented during the burial on Wednesday at the home of Lawrence Bwambale in Kinyabakazi Cell, Muhokya Town Council, Kasese District, left mourners questioning the status of her marriage to Mr Bwambale, with whom she had five children.
Family spokesperson Kilolo Wabene told mourners that at the time of the fatal road crash in Buloba, Wakiso District, Kirabo was reportedly driving the family’s vehicle to an undisclosed destination in Kampala while in the company of a man whom the report alleged she had earlier married in a civil ceremony officiated by a Chief Administrative Officer.
The claims were not independently verified, and no documentary evidence of the alleged civil marriage was presented during the burial.
Speaking during the funeral service, the church’s acting bishop, Elijah Tendo Kiiza, described Kirabo’s death as disturbing, saying it had raised many unanswered questions.
He said before her death, Kirabo had formally informed members of the congregation that she was travelling to Nairobi, Kenya, to further her studies.
“I am disturbed because there are many questions surrounding her death. Before she left, she told the church she was travelling to Nairobi for further studies,” Kiiza said.
During the burial, an unidentified woman also alleged that the deceased had previously burnt clothes bought for her by Bwambale. She further claimed that the man said to have been Kirabo’s second husband had unsuccessfully attempted to pay bride price to her family after the relationship reportedly turned sour.
In a separate interview, Pascal Maulinga Byambwere, an elder brother to Bwambale, said he was not surprised by the controversy surrounding the deceased.
He claimed Kirabo had eloped with his brother nearly two decades ago while he was still a student.
The circumstances surrounding the fatal crash that claimed Kirabo’s life remain unclear, and authorities had not publicly commented on the allegations surrounding her personal life by press time.
