55-year-old widow regains land after five-year dispute

By Johnisani Ocakacon

AMURU - After a prolonged five-year battle, Perina Akwero, a 55-year-old widow from Atodi village, Pagak parish in Amuru sub-county, Amuru district, has finally reclaimed ownership of her marital land. 

With the intervention of local leaders, clan elders and stakeholders, mediation efforts have restored her rights to the 16-acre piece of land left by her late husband. 

Land disputes remain a persistent issue in Amuru district, particularly among close relatives. Widows and orphans are often the most affected in the Acholi sub-region. 

According to the International Justice Mission (IJM), property grabbing disproportionately affects widows, despite women being the primary land users and contributing most agricultural labour. 

Akwero’s ordeal began in 2010 after her husband’s death, when a close relative attempted to evict her and her children, barring them from cultivating the land. 

Upon returning from the internally displaced people’s (IDP) camp after her husband’s death, the mother of eight faced further challenges when her in-laws forcibly took over the land, causing significant economic and psychological distress. 

“This forced me to rent land for farming to sustain my family. Now that I have re-acquired my marital land, I can engage in farming to improve our livelihood,” Akwero said. 

Sam Kinyera, the chairperson of the Pacunge clan in Amuru, said local leaders had mediated to ensure Akwero regained her land. He attributed the rise in land conflicts to young people selling land for quick money.

“As clan leaders, we will not allow widows and orphans to suffer due to land conflicts. They, too, have rights to own land,” Kinyera emphasised. 

Balentina Ayat, a resident of Atodi village, acknowledged the difficulties widows face in accessing their husbands’ land, saying close relatives often seize it. 

“I witnessed how Akwero suffered when her land was grabbed. I am grateful that justice has finally been served,” Ayat said. 

Michael Tokwaro, the chairperson of the area land committee in Amuru sub-county, said his office handles three land dispute cases weekly, underscoring the urgent need for conflict resolution mechanisms. 

Patience Aber, the communication liaison officer at Redeem International, said Akwero’s case was resolved through mediation.

“We are assisting Akwero in demarcating her land by placing boundary markers and securing a title deed to ensure its protection for future generations,” Aber said. 

She said in the past four years, they have successfully mediated 23 civil land disputes, securing over 445.1ha of land in Amuru and Gulu districts. 

Mark Okot, the secretary to the LC1 executive of Labongo village, Pagak parish, said widows and orphans are the most affected by land disputes due to their vulnerability. 

“Local leaders, in collaboration with clan elders and the area land committee, are working towards resolving land conflicts to ensure peaceful co-existence in the community,” Okot said.