Religious and political leaders want stronger support and economic empowerment for widows, citing persistent challenges such as property grabbing, poverty, discrimination, and limited access to education for their children. The call was made during the commemoration of International Widows’ Day held on June 23, 2026, at the Diocese of Lango headquarters in Boroboro, Lira City.
The event brought together widows, church leaders, government officials, and development partners under the theme “Justice, Dignity and Economic Empowerment for Widows.” Speaking as the chief guest, Kabale District Woman Member of Parliament Enid Origumisiriza said widows continue to face numerous hardships, many of which arise after the death of a spouse. She identified property grabbing by relatives of deceased husbands as one of the most common forms of injustice suffered by widows across Uganda.
“When a spouse dies, some in-laws want to take over the land and other property, leaving widows vulnerable and helpless,” Gumisiriza said. Origumisiriza, herself a widow, noted that poverty and limited access to education for children of widows remain major concerns, calling on government, community leaders, and development partners to support affected families.
Gumisiriza urged widows to seek legal protection by obtaining letters of administration following the death of their spouses, saying this can help safeguard family property from unlawful seizure. “The Parliament of Uganda has helped us, and whenever a spouse goes, a widow should go and ask for letters of administration.” She also called on the government to invest in skills development and financial literacy programs, particularly targeting young widows to help them attain economic independence.
“The government should equip widows, especially the young widows, with skills that can help them economically and also prioritize financial literacy among the widows.” She spoke. The Bishop of Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa said the Anglican Church has continued to play a key role in supporting widows through spiritual, social, and economic initiatives.
Lango Diocese has around 1,500 registered widows. According to Bishop Olwa, the Diocese has established structures from parish to diocesan level through its health department to create awareness, offer counselling, and mobilize support for such vulnerable members of society. He said the Church annually commemorates Widows’ Day as a platform for prayer, encouragement, and awareness creation.
He explained that many widows in the Diocese have been organized into savings groups and cooperatives where they engage in farming, learn financial management, save money, and invest in income-generating activities. “These groups are transforming lives. Widows are learning how to work together, manage their resources, and improve their household incomes,” he said.
However, the bishop warned widows and other community members against excessive borrowing, saying high-interest loans often trap families in debt and expose them to exploitation. He noted that some money lenders take advantage of vulnerable people, eventually seizing their property when they fail to repay loans.
Meanwhile, Rev. Barbara Mujisha, the Church of Uganda Provincial Family Life and Mothers’ Union Coordinator, described widows as a group whose struggles often remain unseen despite the magnitude of their challenges, noting that widows continue to experience discrimination, stigmatization, and social exclusion, yet they possess enormous potential to contribute to society if given the necessary support.
“Widows are not objects of segregation or stigmatization. They deserve dignity, justice, and support,” Rev. Mujisha said. She challenged leaders, legal practitioners, and local authorities to ensure that justice is served whenever widows are involved in disputes, particularly those related to land and property ownership, arguing that supporting them is both a social responsibility and a moral obligation.
Rev. Mujisha also underscored the importance of commemorating International Widows’ Day, saying it provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the plight of widows and advocate for policies and actions that improve their lives. The annual observance of International Widows’ Day seeks to draw global attention to the challenges faced by widows and promote measures that protect their rights and welfare. Leaders at the Lira event agreed that while progress has been made, more efforts are needed to eliminate exploitation, strengthen legal protection and expand economic opportunities for widows across Uganda-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
