Ugandan man buried with $5,700 to bribe God

A Ugandan man was buried with $5,700 (£4,700) which he wanted to offer God as an “offertory” to forgive his sins and save him from hell fire, the privately owned Daily Monitor newspaper has reported.

Charles Obong, a former government employee who died at the age of 52, made the request in his will, his family was quoted as saying.

However, the grave was dug up and the money removed from his coffin after community elders and clerics became aware of it, the Daily Monitor reported.

It quoted the Anglican Church’s Rev Joel Agel Awio as saying that no amount of money could buy eternal life, and God would not accept such a “golden handshake”.

Obong died on December 17, 2016, after a long illness and was buried at his ancestral home at Adag-ani village, Bar-pii parish, Aromo Sub-county in Lira District, on Christmas Eve.

Obong was buried in a metallic coffin estimated to have cost Shs20m.

The Aromo Sub-county chairman, Mr David Elic, said his brother-in-law had left behind a Will, dictating that upon his death, his wife Ms Margaret Obong should deposit huge sums of money in his coffin.

He planned to convey the money to God as an offertory so that the Almighty Father could forgive his sins and save him from hellfire.

He reportedly also instructed his brother Justin Ngole and sister Hellen Aber to bear witness to ensure his wife follows his testament to the letter and secure the money in his coffin.

But relatives and local leaders who attended the deceased’s sendoff said the will was mute on the sins Obong wanted to make amends for as
he served in public office, including at the Public Service ministry.

Public service has been engulfed in pension scam scandal which cost government about Shs257 billion.

The money was stolen by senior government officials.