Court hands Namutumba widow, 78, victory in 11-year land row

Namutumba, Uganda: A 78-year-old widow has regained control of her land after the Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Namutumba District ruled in her favour in a long-running land dispute with her nephew.

Edinansi Salamuka, a widow of the late Difasi Majoli and a resident of Idudi Village in Ivukula Sub County, had spent 11 years fighting to reclaim 20 acres of land she says were unlawfully taken by her nephew, Yusuf Bamunobanga.

The ruling, delivered by Grade One Magistrate Moses Mugweri, found Bamunobanga guilty of intermeddling with a deceased estate, criminal trespass and theft of trees, and further ordered the convict to pay a fine of Shs2.7 million to the widow or serve six months in prison.

While delivering the judgment, Magistrate Mugweri warned against the growing trend of grabbing property belonging to widows and orphans.

He noted that under the law, intermeddling with a deceased estate carries a maximum penalty of a Shs20 million fine or 10 years in prison.

However, the court imposed a lighter sentence after the convict pleaded for leniency, citing health complications, including kidney disease and ulcers.

“The convict was responsible for protecting the complainant’s right to enjoy her inheritance,” Mugweri ruled. “Turning against her was an inhuman act, and his consistent refusal to resolve the matter before local authorities showed lack of remorse.”

The magistrate also cautioned Bamunobanga against interfering with the widow again.

Widow celebrates long-awaited justice

Following the ruling, Salamuka expressed relief and joy after reclaiming the land she had lived on with her husband since 1950. She said the dispute started after her husband died in 2001, with the land being forcefully taken over in 2015.

During the lengthy dispute, she said she endured numerous hardships.

Salamuka told reporters she was denied space to cultivate, prevented from constructing a pit latrine, and subjected to insults and threats. She said the accused repeatedly told her she had no right to the land because she had no children.

The ruling was welcomed by legal activists from Redeem International who assisted in pursuing justice for the elderly widow.

Doreen Nandera, a legal officer with the organization, prosecuted the case alongside State Attorney Benard Mulabi. She said the group intervened after efforts by local leaders, the probation office and the Resident District Commissioner’s office failed to resolve the dispute.

“We stepped in after the suspect ignored summons from authorities and continued selling portions of the land,” she said.

Originally measuring 30 acres, part of the land had reportedly been sold off and leased out during the dispute.

Redeem International coordinator Henry Anthony Wabwire described the widow’s experience as a reflection of the hardships faced by many vulnerable people in land disputes.

He revealed that at one point Salamuka was even denied permission to construct a pit latrine, forcing her to relieve herself in polythene bags.

Wabwire praised the court and local authorities for ensuring justice was served. He urged continued cooperation among institutions to protect widows and other vulnerable people from property grabbing.