Summary:

• The funeral of the notorious criminal Paddy Sserunjoji, also known as Sobi, sparked controversy as the Catholic Church declined to hold prayers, with relatives expressing bitterness, while onlookers attended not out of sympathy but curiosity, highlighting Sobi’s criminal past and transition into controversial activities before meeting a violent end.

The funeral of notorious self-confessed criminal Paddy Sserunjoji aka Sobi has not failed to deliver drama as the Catholic Church declined to hold prayers for the deceased.

Sobi’s relatives had reportedly requested the Catholic Church in Bukunda, Masaka (where he is to be laid to rest) to hold a funeral mass. Sobi was killed on Monday, December 18 in a botched land eviction.However, relatives informed Examiner that church leaders said they did not have plans to hold funeral mass for Sobi despite his professed belief.

The bitter relatives said Sobi deserved to be prayed for because despite his criminal past, he had also served the nation.The onlookers who have turned up to witness the burial said they have not come out of sympathy. Many said they had come to lay eyes on Sobi who had heard much about from TV interviews and social media.Sobi’s funeral has attracted hundreds of people in the village.

Sobi, previously associated with criminal activities and the infamous Kifeesi gang terrorizing Kampala, made a shocking confession in 2017, admitting his involvement in numerous crimes. Despite claims of transitioning into a police informant during Gen Edward Kale Kayihura’s tenure as Inspector General of Police (IGP), Sobi continued his controversial activities, allegedly commanding ‘safe houses’ in Kyengera in Wakiso, and Kalangala district and allegedly being hired for land grabbing missions.

Former informant, Alex Odwori, who was subjected to inhumane treatment at Kalangala islands under Sobi’s command was among those who petitioned parliament and President Museveni seeking intervention because many people were ‘rotting incommunicado.’Subsequently, Sobbi ventured into land reclamation, aiding individuals in recovering unlawfully seized properties.

Unfortunately, his life met a tragic end during a violent altercation, leading to his untimely demise and injuries to his colleagues.