national 16 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Lira Siblings Reclaim Ancestral Land After Bitter Family Dispute
Two sisters and their brother in Lira District have successfully reclaimed their late father's land after a protracted family dispute involving their cousin, who had taken control of the property following their parents' deaths. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/lira-siblings-reclaim-father-s-land-after-bitter-family-dispute-5597240
In Teyao Village, Lira District, siblings Crispus Adula, Jacklyn Anam, and Immaculate Auma have officially regained possession of 12 parcels of land that belonged to their late father, Sylvesto Obile. Their father passed away in 2019, and their mother died in 2022, leaving the young children under the guardianship of a cousin, Oyugi.
Adula, who had to drop out of school in Primary Three due to the alleged neglect by their guardian, expressed his desire for independence. Upon turning 17 in 2025, he requested clan elders to allow him and his siblings to return to their ancestral home. This move prompted a clan meeting to redistribute the family’s assets, which included the 12 gardens, four cattle, chickens, and household items.
However, by the time the siblings returned, much of the livestock had vanished, and Oyugi had reportedly leased most of the gardens to tenants, collecting rent. While the clan ordered the return of the land, Oyugi initially refused to relinquish two gardens, claiming he had sold them to cover the children’s school fees.
The situation escalated when the siblings attempted to cultivate the disputed gardens. Adula recounted an incident where Oyugi and his wife allegedly threatened one of his sisters with a machete. The siblings managed to disarm them and reported the matter to local authorities and then the police.
The couple was charged with criminal trespass and threatening violence. Redeem International, a nonprofit supporting vulnerable individuals, assisted the police investigation and ensured the siblings attended court. The organization also helped Adula secure a scholarship to technical school.
After a trial, the magistrate ruled that while the siblings would continue to occupy the disputed land, the ownership of the two gardens remained to be settled through a civil suit. Clan leaders have called for reconciliation, while local officials highlighted the widespread issue of undocumented land ownership in the region.