Locals Urged to Seek Legal Advice to Prevent Land and Family Disputes.

Rukungiri: Locals have been encouraged to regularly seek legal advice to gain the knowledge necessary to avoid making poor decisions in their daily lives.

This message was emphasized on June 17, during a one-day workshop organized by the All In One Women’s Association (ALOWA), held at Riverside Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality. The workshop aimed to sensitize the public on Land and Family Law.

ALOWA, a non-governmental organization registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), was established in 2004 and focuses on empowering women through education about their legal rights and how to protect them.

The legal officer and coordinator at ALOWA Fiona Masika, noted that although the organization mainly targets women, the training was intended to benefit the entire community, including men, since land and family-related issues affect people of all genders.

The team leader Banabas Tugumisirize, explained that the workshop supports government efforts, especially the offices of the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and the judiciary, which are overwhelmed by land and domestic-related cases. He stressed that communities need legal sensitization to better understand their rights and avoid unnecessary disputes.

Participants in the workshop included James Beijuka from Nyibingo, Kebisoni Sub-County, Evelyne Bimanyire from Kabira in Mitooma District, Capt. Jerome Ndiyo and Silvia Kyarimpa, both from Nyakagyeme Sub-County in Rukungiri. They attended the workshop to gain knowledge on legal issues, especially regarding land and domestic matters.

The participants reported that due to a lack of understanding of their legal rights, they had previously faced unfair judgments from local leaders. However, this workshop provided them with essential legal awareness and guidance to better handle such disputes in the future.