The Church of Uganda will tomorrow join the rest of the world in commemorating International Widows Day, with a renewed call for justice, dignity, and economic empowerment for widows across the country.
The provincial celebrations will be held at the Lango Diocesan Office Grounds in Lira City starting at 8:00 a.m. under the theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Empowerment for Widows” drawn from Isaiah 1:17.
The event will be graced by the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, as the chief guest, while the Kabale District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Enid Origumisiriza, will deliver the keynote address. The Bishop of Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa, will serve as the main celebrant.
Speaking during a media interview on Monday, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, called for greater national attention to the challenges faced by widows and urged families, cultural institutions, the Church, and government agencies to protect their rights and uphold their dignity.
Archbishop Kaziimba noted that many widows and orphans continue to suffer neglect, discrimination, and denial of property and inheritance rights following the death of their husbands or fathers.
“The widows and orphans are, in many cases, neglected, forgotten, and denied access to property rightfully belonging to them after the death of their husbands or fathers. This injustice continues to undermine the dignity of women who laboured alongside their spouses to build families, only to be dispossessed after their passing,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to promoting justice, restoring dignity, and advancing the economic empowerment of widows, calling upon all stakeholders to stand in solidarity with them.
“We are reaffirming our commitment to promoting justice, restoring dignity, and advancing the economic empowerment of widows. I call upon all churches, families, cultural institutions, and government agencies to stand with widows and ensure they are treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness,” Archbishop Kaziimba added.
The Archbishop also appealed to judicial officers to give special attention to cases involving widows, emphasizing the need for timely and fair resolution of disputes related to property ownership and inheritance.
This year’s celebrations are being organized by the Church of Uganda Mothers’ Union in partnership with Redeem International. The Provincial Mothers’ Union President, Mrs. Grace Murengezi, is expected to lead a delegation of Mothers’ Union leaders from across the province to the event.
The annual commemoration seeks to raise awareness about the social, economic, and legal challenges facing widows while advocating for policies and interventions that promote their welfare and empowerment.
