The widow narrated the hardships she endured during the long dispute, including being denied the right to farm, having her trees cut down, and being blocked from digging a pit latrine.
Joy and relief filled Idudi Village in Ikuvula sub-county, Namutumba District after a 78-year-old widow finally won an 11-year court battle over her land.
Edinansi Salamuka, widow of the late Difasi Majoli, regained ownership of 20 acres of land after the Namutumba Grade One Magistrate’s Court ruled in her favor against her nephew, Yusuf Bamunobanga. Bamunobanga, a clan leader and political mobilizer, had been accused of illegally taking over the land and subjecting the elderly widow to years of harassment.
Presiding magistrate Moses Mugweri convicted Bamunobanga on three counts: intermeddling with a deceased person’s estate, criminal trespass, and theft of trees. He was ordered to pay a fine of sh2.7m to Salamuka or face six months in prison if he fails to pay.
While delivering the judgment, Magistrate Mugweri warned Bamunobanga against interfering with the widow again, noting that such offenses could attract a maximum penalty of a sh20m fine or up to 10 years in prison. However, the court exercised leniency after the convict pleaded for mercy, citing health complications including kidney disease and ulcers.
Mugweri also condemned the increasing cases of relatives grabbing property belonging to widows and orphans in the district, emphasizing that they are the rightful beneficiaries of estates left behind by the deceased.
“The accused had a responsibility to ensure the widow enjoys her inheritance, especially considering she has no children. Instead, he chose to mistreat her and ignore efforts by local leaders to resolve the matter,” Mugweri said.
Speaking after the ruling, Salamuka expressed overwhelming joy, saying the judgment had finally brought her peace after years of suffering. She explained that the land was taken from her in 2015, although she had lived on it with her husband since 1950. Her husband died in 2001.
The widow narrated the hardships she endured during the long dispute, including being denied the right to farm, having her trees cut down, and being blocked from digging a pit latrine. At one point, she said, she was forced to use polythene bags to relieve herself due to the restrictions imposed on her.
Salamuka also said she endured constant insults from her nephew, who mocked her for being childless and repeatedly ordered her to leave the land and return to her parents’ home.
She thanked local authorities and activists from Redeem International for supporting her throughout the case and ensuring it was pursued to its conclusion.
Doreen Nandera, a legal officer with Redeem International who worked alongside State Attorney Benard Mulabi to prosecute the case, welcomed the judgment, describing it as long-overdue justice for the widow.
Nandera explained that the organization intervened after Bamunobanga repeatedly ignored attempts by local authorities, the probation office, and the Resident District Commissioner’s office to resolve the dispute. She added that he had even sold part of the land, which originally measured 30 acres.
According to Nandera, the accused frequently ignored summons from authorities and allegedly used political connections to shield himself from accountability.
Henry Anthony Wabwiire, the coordinator of Redeem International in the area, highlighted the severe conditions Salamuka had endured before help arrived. He particularly condemned the act of denying the widow a place to construct a pit latrine.
Namutumba Resident District Commissioner Aggrey Fred Bangu expressed concern over the rising number of land grabbing cases involving widows, orphans, and young women in the district. He attributed the trend to greed and ignorance among some community members who believe such groups have no inheritance rights.
Bangu revealed that his office handles between two and three similar cases every week and urged stakeholders to organize community sensitization meetings to educate people about property rights.
The court decision was warmly welcomed by residents and relatives in Idudi Village, who congratulated the widow and sympathized with the hardships she endured.
Julius Mulinde, Salamuka’s grandson who has been living with her for protection, said the family had lived in constant fear due to threats from the accused.
“We have been worried about our safety for a long time, but the court’s decision has given us hope and protection,” he said.
A neighbor, Prossy Mukebezei, said Bamunobanga often dismissed the widow as a “mad person” whenever she sought help from authorities.
Other residents, including Fred Mugalu and Wilson Kawere, claimed the accused had also been harassing other community members. They said he often boasted about his knowledge of the law and allegedly charged people money when their animals grazed on land he claimed to control.
Despite the years of conflict, residents say the court’s decision has restored hope that justice can prevail for vulnerable people facing land grabbing in the community.
