Kole District – A 31-year-old widow, Linda Adoch, from Teopok Village, Lwala Parish in Kole District, has successfully reclaimed her two-acre piece of land that was fraudulently sold by her mother-in-law.

Adoch, a mother of two, became embroiled in the land dispute in 2021, a year after the death of her husband.

She alleges that her mother-in-law, with the support of some clan leaders, sold the land without her consent. Despite repeated threats from the buyer, Adoch, with the help of her brothers-in-law, reported the matter to the police. However, limited progress was made due to financial constraints.

Turning Point with Redeem International

The case took a positive turn when it was referred to Redeem International, an organisation working with law enforcement in the Lango sub-region to protect widows and orphans from property-related violence.

Barbara Aketo, an attorney with Redeem International, represented Adoch in court. Aketo explained that the perpetrators admitted to the crime, pleaded guilty, and agreed to return the land to its rightful owner.

During the restoration process, Adoch regained access to her land and was provided with household items to support her livelihood. She has since resumed brewing local waragi, an economic activity that enables her to provide for her daughters’ education.

“I finally have peace in my home, and life is back to normal,” Adoch said. She encouraged fellow widows to live truthfully and set an example in their communities.

Cultural Challenges in Land Ownership

In the Lango sub-region, land is customarily owned, leaving widows and orphans particularly vulnerable to property grabbing. Upon the death of the male head of the family, in-laws and clan members often lay claim to land and other properties.

Aketo criticised some cultural leaders for enabling such practices, attributing the issue to greed and ignorance of the law.

William Ogwal, the head of Adoch’s family, expressed relief that the matter was resolved. He urged families to ensure all members approve land sales to avoid disputes.

Redeem International’s Advocacy

Adoch’s case is one of several successfully resolved by Redeem International. Other beneficiaries include Lilian Akao from Aboke in Kole District and Josephine Akello from Barr Sub-County in Lira District.

Francis Ocira, team leader at Redeem International’s Lira Field Office, stressed the importance of widows and orphans retaining ownership of property left behind by their deceased relatives.

“Families should ensure their land and other assets are clearly documented to prevent disputes,” Ocira advised.

Studies show that in the Lango sub-region, widows make up around 10% of households, and nearly half of them face attempts to grab their land. Efforts like those of Redeem International aim to change this narrative and protect the rights of vulnerable groups.