By Weswa Ronnie
SIRONKO
A widow who had been chased from her matrimonial home in Kiyanja village, Nabudisila parish, Dahami sub-county in Sironko district is smiling once again after the intervention of Sironko Grade One Magistrate Court, in partnership with Redeem International, a non-governmental organization.
Jennet Nagudi, a 60 year old widow was handed back her home, land and property on Wednesday, 26th November, 2025 following a July, 2025 court ruling against the stepchildren.
Nagudi had lost her property to her stepchildren in January, 2025 after the death of her husband and was chased away from her home. However, with the help of Redeem International, her case was taken to court, and her stepchildren were summoned and they pleaded guilty.
They were sentenced to two months in prison and ordered to return the property with apology to the widow.
During an interview with our reporter at her home during the official handover of her property, she said she had tried to seek justice from local leaders and the police but failed due to lack of money.
She said Redeem International, a non-governmental organization, Mbale branch, came in and took her case to the Sironko Grade One Magistrate Court for justice, providing her with free legal assistance and financial support.
She said her stepchildren, identified as Wayiya Kadoli, Aidah Nabukwasi, and others, were summoned to court, pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to two months in Mutufu government prison by Grade One Magistrate, Fred Katugume.
In July this year, the property, including a house and two pieces of land, was given back to the widow, and the children were released with a serious court warning. During the official handover of the property yesterday, Fred Katugume, the Sironko Grade One Magistrate, cautioned the public to take this as a lesson and stop grabbing the property of orphans and widows because it is a criminal offense.
He said the children were supposed to be sentenced to 7 years, but after pleading guilty and asking for forgiveness, he had to punish them with two months’ imprisonment and asked them to return the property with a serious warning.
Annet Kharuri Jabi, the Program Manager of Redeem International Mbale region, said they managed to provide free legal support to Nagudi after receiving information that her property had been taken by her stepchildren after her husband’s death.
She urged other widows or orphans from Bugisu facing similar problems to go to their offices and get free legal services from the court, as they are vulnerable.
Vinikhet Manana, the Public Relations Officer of Redeem International Mbale region, expressed his happiness with the handover of the property, saying it’s good for such vulnerable groups of people to get justice.
He warned the Stepchildren against disturbing Nagudi’s peace, saying next time they will be arrested and imprisoned.
Allan Wanambwa, the Sironko District Assistant Resident District Commissioner, representing the RDC, urged widows and orphans to always seek justice in court in case of property grabbing, rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Redeem International provides free legal assistance to widows and orphans whose property has been taken by others.
