Soroti High Court dismisses bid to block burial of ex-minister’s wife

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The High Court in Soroti on Monday, June 16, dismissed an interim court order that sought to block the burial of Rose Alupo, 58, the wife of former Justice Minister Cuthbert Obwangor.

The interim application had been filed by 80-year-old Angela Margaret Itinot and 69-year-old Rose Mary Atim, daughters of the late Obwangor. They argued that Alupo was not related to them, by blood, marriage, or otherwise, and thus could not be buried on their family land. The two claim to be administrators of the Obwangor estate.

A 69 year old Rose Mary Atim, a daugther of Obwangor, in court on Monday. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)

However, in his ruling, Justice Boniface Wamala stated that the evidence presented indicated Alupo had lived with Obwangor until his death, and continued residing in his home until she passed away on June 9, 2025.

The court therefore granted permission for Alupo to be buried at Obwangor’s ancestral home in Kiiya village, Omasia parish, Magoro subcounty, Katakwi district.

“The materials on record indicate that the administration of the estate is still subject of court dispute in the High Court of Uganda at the Family Division,” Justice Wamala ruled.

The dispute between the elderly daughters and their stepmother has been ongoing in court since 2013. The central issue in the main suit is whether Alupo was legally married to Obwangor.

The late Rose Alupo. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)

“However, it is clear to me that the question as to whether the late Alupo should be buried in the ancestral home of Obwangor is not to be determined based on whether legal marriage existed between her and Obwangor,” the judge added.

The previous court order, issued last week, had restrained the respondents, including Ikouba-Ikaribwok clan chairman Gerald Irimo and burial committee chairman Jorem Opian Obicho, from transporting and burying Alupo at Obwangor’s ancestral home.

“The respondents’ actions of wanting to forcefully bury a stranger in our home are causing us emotional pain and mental torture which cannot be atoned for in monetary terms,” the applicants said in their affidavit.

The ruling, delivered in a fully packed courtroom comprising relatives and sympathisers in Soroti city, brought relief to members of the clan.

“I’m happy with the court ruling because the deceased was married in cultural tradition, and I was present when the dowry of five cows, seven goats, and sh100,000 was paid. But we are shocked that our mature daughters are disputing this naked fact,” said clan chairman Irimo after the ruling.

Reacting to the decision, Itinot described the ruling as “bad”.

Burial committee chairman Jorem Opian later confirmed that Alupo would be laid to rest on Wednesday, June 18. According to Irimo, Alupo had two children with Obwangor.

He also stated that Obwangor had married four women in total, with Alupo being the last.

“He married Anna Abura as his first wife, followed by Elizabeth Apio, Janet Amoit, and then Alupo, whom he married in 1990,” Irimo said.