Husband accuses wife of locking him in pit-latrine over land dispute

KISORO - Tension continues to rise in Gisha Cell, Central Ward, Chahafi town council in Kisoro district following a long-standing family dispute that has now drawn the attention of local leaders, residents, church representatives and law enforcement authorities.

The dispute centres on Benjamin Byibesho, a resident who alleges that in January 2024, his first wife, Jane Nyirabatutsi, locked him inside a toilet for 30 minutes during a domestic disagreement.

The incident came to light on February 20, 2026, during a planned mediation meeting convened at the family’s residence by local leaders in an effort to resolve the matter.

However, the meeting failed to proceed as scheduled after Jane Nyirabatutsi reportedly fled the home and sought refuge in a nearby banana plantation upon learning that leaders had arrived for the mediation session.

Local leaders who had gathered at the residence were left stranded, unable to proceed with dialogue in her absence.

According to Byibesho, the conflict between him and his first wife has persisted for over four years. He says the situation escalated significantly after he made the decision to marry a second wife.

Benjamin claims that his decision to marry again followed years of what he describes as domestic misunderstandings and emotional distress.

He alleges that his first wife had denied him food and barred him from sleeping in their shared bedroom for an extended period, circumstances he says forced him to seek refuge in other villages.

It was during this time, he explains, that he resolved to marry a second wife.

Escalation of tension

However, tensions deepened when Byibesho requested a portion of the family land to construct a separate house for his second wife.

He says his request was met with resistance, triggering continuous quarrels and, eventually, the January 2024 incident in which he claims he was locked inside a toilet for half an hour.

Benjamin is now appealing to local leaders, Police, and other authorities to intervene and grant him permission to build a house for his second wife. He maintains that both women are legally his spouses and that he has the right to allocate land accordingly.

Residents who attended the attempted mediation expressed deep concern over the deteriorating relationship within the family, noting that the matter has become a public issue affecting the reputation and harmony of the community. 

Margaret Bazira, one of the residents present, stated that the ongoing disputes have eroded public trust and respect for the family, which was once regarded as stable and dignified within the village.

Bazira emphasised that the couple, being elderly, should prioritise peaceful dialogue and reconciliation rather than spending limited resources on prolonged court cases and repeated mediation efforts.

She suggested that allowing Benjamin to construct a separate house for his second wife could ease tensions and restore stability in the household.

Another resident, Nyiramuhire Erinah, observed that multiple mediation efforts involving local leaders, Police officers and probation officials have been undertaken in the past, but none have successfully resolved the conflict.

She warned that the continued escalation risks dividing not only the family but also the wider community.

Residents who attended the attempted mediation expressed deep concern over the deteriorating relationship within the family, noting that the matter has become a public issue affecting the reputation and harmony of the community. (Credit: Daniel Nsengimana)

Reflection of society

Chahafi town council deputy speaker Emmanuel Turahirwa described the situation as a reflection of broader social challenges facing families in the area.

Turahirwa expressed disappointment that Jane Nyirabatutsi fled when leaders arrived for the scheduled mediation.

He noted that her absence frustrated efforts to facilitate dialogue and demonstrated what he described as a growing lack of respect for local leadership structures.

According to Turahirwa, the increasing number of domestic and land-related conflicts reported in the area signals rising insecurity and weakening trust in community-level dispute resolution mechanisms.

He stated that without co-operation from all parties involved, progress in resolving the dispute remains stalled. Turahirwa called upon higher authorities to intervene if necessary, emphasising the need to restore order and confidence in leadership.

Gisha Cell LC1 chairperson Rwamirera Joseph confirmed that family-related disputes within the village are on the rise.

According to Rwamirera, this was the fourth time local leaders had convened at Benjamin’s home in an attempt to settle the disagreement.

Despite repeated efforts, including discussions, warnings and community mediation, no lasting solution has been achieved.

He further disclosed that the case has remained unresolved for more than four years, creating ongoing tension within the village.

Rwamirera added that church leaders from the Adventist region had previously intervened in hopes of reconciling the couple through faith-based counselling and dialogue. However, those efforts did not produce positive results.

According to the LC1 chairperson, the prolonged nature of the conflict significantly affected Byibesho, forcing him to temporarily relocate to other villages for safety and peace of mind. It was during this period of separation, he said, that Byibesho made the decision to marry a second wife.

Rwamirera has now urged the Police to take stronger and more decisive action, arguing that firm intervention may deter similar cases of domestic mistreatment and prolonged family conflicts in the community.

He stressed that unresolved family disputes not only damage individual households but also undermine community cohesion and respect for leadership.

As mediation efforts continue to stall, residents of Gisha Cell remain concerned about the potential long-term consequences of the dispute. Many believe that a peaceful settlement is urgently needed to prevent further division within the family and the community at large.

Local leaders say they remain committed to facilitating dialogue but acknowledge that without the cooperation of all parties, progress will remain difficult.