Why Joshua Baraka Kept Cameras Away From His Father’s Burial

Joshua Baraka has opened up about the decision to restrict recordings at his father’s burial, saying he could not bring himself to see such a personal moment circulating on social media.

The singer’s father, Pastor Lawrence Okello Habalu, passed away on June 7, 2026. Relatives, friends, and well-wishers gathered in Bugelele, Kitimbwa, Kayunga District, on June 9 to pay their final respects.

A day after the burial, the singer addressed the issue on X, revealing that the decision to ban recordings stemmed from a desire to protect his father’s final moments from becoming online content.

I could not stand the thought of scrolling the internet and seeing my father’s casket in the grave. That is why no videos were allowed at the burial. You can spin it how you want. God will forgive you for the things you do for clout.

His comments have struck a chord with many people who feel that funerals are increasingly becoming content for social media rather than private moments for families to grieve and remember their loved ones.

Baraka’s concerns echo views South Africa-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan shared in February when she spoke out against the growing culture of filming funerals and turning them into online content.

Zari said she would prefer a private burial attended only by close family members, selected religious leaders, and a few trusted individuals.

She added that content creators, influencers, and TikTokers would not be welcome at her funeral.

TikTokers, please never come to my burial.

Though their circumstances are different, both Baraka and Zari have pushed back against the culture of recording and sharing funeral moments online.