Compiled by Uganda Today News Desk from Monitor report
Uganda Today Edition: Tororo Widows in Land Grabbing Crisis: The Harrowing Tale of Aidah Aboth and Others
Tororo, Uganda—At 90 years old, Ms. Aidah Aboth, a resident of Ngeta “B” cell in Nambogo Ward, Iyolwa Town Council, has become the face of a distressing crisis facing widows in Tororo and neighboring districts. Forced out of her matrimonial home after the death of her husband Yakobo Okoth in 1974, Ms. Aboth now lives in fear, humiliation, and uncertainty.
Her plight mirrors that of hundreds of widows in the region who have been stripped of their land and livelihoods by in-laws and opportunistic land grabbers. The systemic abuse often involves collusion with Area Land Committees, leaving these women vulnerable and homeless despite Uganda’s legal protections for land ownership.
A Widow’s Cry for Justice
“I was humiliated, physically intimidated, and insulted by my in-laws,” Ms. Aboth recalls, her voice breaking. “They conspired to transfer ownership of my 12 acres of land, which I had cultivated for decades, leaving me with no choice but to seek refuge at my daughter’s home.”
At her advanced age, Ms. Aboth fears the cultural implications of her predicament. “Tradition does not permit me to be buried at my daughter’s home. I appeal to the president and other authorities to help me reclaim my land so that I can return and take care of my late husband’s grave.”
Local leaders have corroborated Ms. Aboth’s account. John Ochieng, the LC1 chairperson, revealed that investigations by Justice Centres Uganda confirmed her rightful claim to the land. However, he expressed dismay over the fraudulent transfer of land rights, which he refused to endorse.
A Widespread Crisis
Ms. Aboth’s story is not unique. Across Tororo and Butaleja districts, widows are disproportionately affected by land grabbing. Women’s land rights often hinge on their relationships with male relatives, leaving them powerless when these relationships are severed by death.
In Osukuru Town Council, 81-year-old Joyce Adengero has faced relentless threats from in-laws seeking to divide her late husband’s land. “None of them questioned boundaries when my husband was alive,” she lamented. “But after his death, they convened meetings claiming it was time to redistribute the land.”
Similarly, Ms. Basereda Achom, 75, of Malaba Town Council, endured years of legal battles after her husband’s relatives tried to seize her four-acre plot. She finally won her case in the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Tororo, but the trauma lingers. “It has been a harrowing journey,” Ms. Achom shared. “But justice has brought me peace.”
The Gendered Struggle for Land Rights
Land is a cornerstone of economic security, yet deeply ingrained social norms and patriarchal practices continue to marginalize women in Uganda. Despite constitutional guarantees and laws like the Land Act, which protect women’s rights to land ownership, enforcement remains weak.
Ms. Enfulansi Kafuko, a sub-county councilor for the elderly in Butaleja, blames cultural attitudes. “Many men believe women have no moral authority over land. This mindset must change if we are to ensure equitable land governance.”
Her sentiments were echoed during a recent community dialogue organized by the Uganda Community-Based Association for Women and Children Welfare (UCOBAC) in Butaleja District. Held under the global campaign Stand for Her Land, the dialogue highlighted the urgent need for reform and awareness to empower women.
“Securing land rights is not just about fairness,” emphasized Ms. Lukiya Buya, an advocate for women’s economic empowerment. “It’s about creating pathways for security, dignity, and opportunity for women.”
The Call for Action
As cases of widow dispossession rise, activists and local leaders are calling for immediate interventions. Strengthening legal frameworks, ensuring accountability within land governance institutions, and fostering cultural shifts are seen as critical steps.
For Ms. Aidah Aboth, the path to justice remains uncertain, but her plea is clear: “I only want to return home to live out my days with dignity and peace. I ask our leaders to hear my cry.”
The plight of widows like Ms. Aboth underscores a pressing issue that demands national attention. Without decisive action, hundreds more women risk losing not only their land but their livelihoods, dignity, and cultural identity.