What it takes to return a body from abroad

Mutungi, who travelled to China in May 2023 in search of better opportunities, was working as an English teacher when she died on February 21 after reportedly collapsing while out with friends. Her family was later informed that the reported cause of death was accidental alcohol intoxication.

Mr Nickson Nuwagaba, an uncle to the deceased, said the family initially did not understand the procedures involved in bringing her body home.

“We began by making inquiries through Ethiopian Airlines. At first, we did not know much about the process. We thought the cost might be manageable, perhaps around Shs20 million and possibly up to Shs30 million,” Mr Nuwagaba said.

However, the family later discovered that the process could only be handled by licensed companies specialising in the international transportation of human remains.

“We found only two companies that could handle the process, and both gave us quotations of nearly Shs100 million, around Shs96 million,” he said.

With the cost beyond their reach, the family explored other options.

“Our Plan B was to travel to China ourselves and see whether we could obtain permission to handle the process there. We even considered cremation and bringing her ashes back home. But even the ashes had their own protocols; you cannot simply bring them back without following the proper procedures,” Mr Nuwagaba said.

According to experts, repatriation can take weeks or months where there are delays in obtaining documents or releasing the body, saying police investigations, post-mortem examinations, identification procedures and court processes can delay the release of remains.

Differences in requirements between the country where the death occurred and Uganda can also cause delays.

The family eventually sought government assistance, and President Museveni intervened to help clear the Shs96 million repatriation bill.

Mutungi’s body was later flown back to Uganda.

Speaking at the funeral service on Tuesday last week, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa thanked the President for his intervention.

“We want to thank the spirit of the President, and we pray that God protects them, protects our President and also protects the country. I have no more words, only that we pray that God protects our President for his merciful intervention,” Mr Tayebwa said.

Mr Tayebwa urged young Ugandans to make use of opportunities available within the country instead of risking their lives abroad.

He said the government had introduced several programmes aimed at supporting young people, including the graduate fund.

The experience of the Mutungi family highlights the difficulties many families face when a relative dies abroad. For some, the cost and procedures involved can make it difficult to bring their loved ones home.

As more Ugandans continue to leave the country in search of employment, education and other opportunities, families are increasingly confronted with the high costs and complicated procedures involved in repatriating the remains of relatives who die overseas.

Data from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority shows that Entebbe International Airport recorded 582,927 international departures between January and June 2025, compared with 550,439 arrivals, leaving a difference of more than 32,000 passengers.

The trend has persisted over the years. In 2022, Entebbe recorded 827,787 departures against 746,800 arrivals, a difference of 80,987 passengers.

In 2023, the difference narrowed to 24,616 passengers, while in 2024 it reduced further to 8,280, with departures standing at 1,772,622 compared with 1,764,342 arrivals. According to immigration authorities, the increase in international travel is partly attributed to conferences, workshops, meetings and labour migration.

Statistics from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development also show that the number of Ugandans travelling abroad as migrant workers has increased over the years, with the number travelling to the Middle East peaking at 93,396 in 2022. The number later declined in 2023 and 2024, as well as in the first half of 2025. By June 2025, a total of 18,134 migrant workers had been recorded.

Ugandans who lose relatives abroad are advised to contact the nearest Ugandan embassy or consulate as soon as possible.

The diplomatic mission can help the family communicate with local authorities and establish the procedures required to release and transport the body.

The family may be required to obtain documents such as a death certificate, police report where applicable, medical or post-mortem records, identification documents and clearance from relevant authorities.

The requirements vary depending on the country. In Ms Mutungi’s case, Chinese authorities used her passport details to identify her before contacting the Ugandan Embassy, which helped trace her next of kin.

Once authorities release the body, the family must decide whether to bury or cremate the deceased in the country where the death occurred or repatriate the remains to Uganda.

Repatriating a body internationally involves more than paying for an airline ticket. A funeral director specialising in international transportation of human remains may have to arrange embalming, preparation of the body, an approved coffin or container, documentation, transportation to the airport and airfreight.

Customs, health and other clearances may also be required before the remains can leave the country.

The distance between the country where the death occurred and Uganda can affect the cost. Other factors include whether a post-mortem examination is required, the time taken to release the body and the documentation required by authorities in both countries.

Mr Zaake Kibedi, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, said responsibility for repatriation may also depend on the deceased’s legal status and employment arrangements.

“Once you die abroad while there legally, the responsible employer is obligated to facilitate repatriation of the body and any medical expenses incurred before death,” he said.

However, he said families may have to meet the cost where the deceased was staying in a country illegally.

“In such cases, the responsibility falls on the family, and it usually costs about $10,000, around Shs38 million, to repatriate the body,” Mr Kibedi said.

Families should, therefore, establish whether the deceased had insurance or an employment agreement that provides for repatriation.

Embassies and consulates can assist families in navigating the procedures but do not normally carry out the physical transportation of bodies.

They can liaise with authorities in the country where the death occurred, assist with consular documentation and guide families through the repatriation process.

Families are also advised to engage a licensed funeral director with experience in international repatriation.

The repatriation of a body depends on the country and circumstances of death, required documents, police investigations, post-mortem examinations, identification and court processes. Costs are also affected by distance, embalming, preparation, approved coffins, transportation, airfreight, customs and health clearances. The deceased’s legal status, employment arrangements, insurance and time taken to release the body also matter.