IBANDA – An 80-year old widow from Ndoragi Cell in Nyabuhikye sub-county Ibanda District has been left homeless after she was chased from her marital home and land by children to the brother of her late husband.
Ms. Edinace Bariisa Katarihwa, who now rents a one-roomed house, got married to the late Yosam Katarihwa in 1959 and stayed with him for over 40 years before the man died in 1998. The couple did not have children.
Ms. Bariisa narrates that when one Sezi Rwabibi died the brother to her husband, she brought all the six children and started staying with them in her house until they turned against her.
“Their father died before my husband so I decided to bring them to stay with me. I lacked money to take care of myself I decided to sell part of my land that my husband had left with me. When their elder brother Naboth Wamara heard that I sold some part of the land, he instructed the chairman LC1 not to append his signature on the sale agreement arguing that the land is his. I was shocked. He even came and insisted that the land belonged to him and that I have no right whatsoever to sell any portion of it,” she said.
She further narrated that Wamara forced her to return the UGX1m she had received from the buyer despite the fact that late Katarihwa left a Will showing that the old woman is the rightful owner.
According to the will dated November 4, 1996. Edinance was given all the land, house and the cows that were in the farm. “Me Yosam Katarihwa on the day of November 4, 1996, I have decided to gift my properties as follows, my house and all contained therein, are for my wife, my whole land and all is contained there is for my wife, for the cows there is one that was for Naboth Wamala but others are for my wife, the four people that my wife (Edinance) will always seek advice from Naboth Wamara, Joseph Kasabunga, A. Kahuka and Martin Tushabe.”The will reads in part.
Ms. Bariisa further said: “Wamara grabbed my land. I am not allowed to step a foot in it. I even left my marital house in which my husband left me. He went on radio and put adverts that no one should buy this land without his consent as the customary heir in Katarihwa’s properties, not his father’s. So I am now landless.”
She said that these matters have already reached the Probe into land matters led by Justice Catherine Bamugemerire. She called upon the commission to expedite the investigations into the matter and have her reinstated back into her land.
Ms. Enid Komugisha, the niece to Ms. Bariisa also opined that at the time she took up the matter, it had already reached in the land commission where Wamara is accusing the old woman and the office of RDC for attempting to take his land.
Mr. Lawrence Rwaburindore, the chairman LCI Ndoragi Cell, confirmed to PML Daily that the land in question was left to the old woman by the late husband.
