The Office of the Administrator General has expressed concern over the increasing abuse of powers by administrators of deceased persons’ estates, warning that the practice is fuelling unnecessary conflicts within families and communities.
Charles Balala, the Deputy Administrator General, said the office is registering a growing number of inheritance disputes arising from the misuse of letters of administration issued by courts to individuals appointed to manage the estates of deceased persons.
Speaking during a public sensitisation baraza on succession and estate administration in Masaka, Balala noted that many administrators wrongly assume that letters of administration grant them ownership of the deceased’s property. Instead of managing the estates on behalf of all beneficiaries, some deny relatives and rightful heirs’ access to family property, triggering prolonged disputes.
He explained that many inheritance conflicts persist because of widespread misunderstanding and deliberate abuse of the responsibilities attached to letters of administration. In some cases, he said, the disputes have escalated into violence and even resulted in loss of life.
To address the problem, Balala said the Office of the Administrator General has launched a nationwide public sensitisation campaign to educate communities on succession and inheritance laws. The initiative aims to provide legal guidance to families involved in estate disputes while promoting proper administration of deceased persons’ estates.
He added that the campaign is also targeting Local Council leaders to equip them with accurate knowledge of succession laws so they can resolve inheritance disputes appropriately instead of aggravating them.
The Office of the Administrator General is mandated to oversee the administration of the estates of deceased persons, missing persons, and individuals of unsound mind in accordance with Uganda’s succession laws.
Masaka High Court Resident Judge Fatumah Nanziri Bwanika urged the public to embrace the practice of writing and regularly updating their wills to safeguard their families from inheritance disputes after death.
She encouraged members of the public to take advantage of the Administrator General’s sensitisation campaign to obtain guidance on preparing legally valid wills capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny, thereby avoiding lengthy, costly, and often contentious court processes.
Meanwhile, Masaka High Court Deputy Registrar Roy Karungi raised concern over what she described as increasing interference by Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in the administration of deceased persons’ estates, even after some matters have been determined by courts.
Karungi observed that some RDCs, under the guise of mediating disputes, continue to intervene in cases that are already before court or have been concluded. She said the practice undermines the authority and independence of the Judiciary, creates confusion among litigants, and fuels friction between government institutions.
She called on all institutions under the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) to undertake a coordinated public awareness campaign on succession planning and will writing as a long-term solution to the growing number of inheritance disputes arising from deceased persons’ estates-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
