Heat shimmered off the tarmac in Lira City on Tuesday as hundreds of widows from across the country stepped onto the street, refusing to let age, grief, or the weather keep them indoors.
It was the 2026 Provincial Commemoration of National Widows’ Day. And these mothers, who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, came to be seen.
The energetic-looking women started marching from Lira Central Police Station. Row by row, gomesi of different colours moved through the Lango principal trade centre – royal blue, gold, red, white, green – a river of cloth and courage. They walked all the way to Uhuru Bar, feet steady despite the scorching sun.
But this was not a quiet procession. In their hands they held placards, the paint bold against the plywood: ‘Do not oppress the widows and widowers.’ ‘Widowhood has no age; Respect all seasons of grief.’
The messages were for land grabbers, for in-laws who seize property, for neighbours who whisper, for leaders who forget, and for anyone who thinks widowhood means silence.
At Uhuru Bar, the widows boarded three buses and headed to All Saints University of Lango ground, Lira City East Division, where the celebrations peaked with leaders sharing key messages.
The theme of the celebrations was dubbed: ‘Justice, dignity and economic power for widows.’
Bishop Alfred Olwa of Lango Diocese, who was the main celebrant, said every human life is created by God with a specific purpose, rather than being a matter of random chance.
Bishop Olwa contrasted a purposeful life with the Ugandan concept of living like a ‘wild cat’- an aimless existence ‘to whom it may concern.’
To fulfill this divine design, he encouraged the widows to maintain an active lifestyle through continuous farming, learning, service, prayer, and building relationships.
‘Pray every day even when you don’t feel like you want to pray. Read God’s word daily, join a fellowship or a prayer group. Save something regularly, however small, and avoid unnecessary debt,’ said the Anglican bishop, advising that widows should seek advice before selling land or major properties.
Bishop Olwa added: ‘Build strong relationships with trustworthy Christians. A trustworthy relationship is built, it doesn’t come by miracle. And teach your children and grandchildren to fear God. Take care of your health and keep hope alive.’
Dr Sr Grace Mary Akiror, Commissioner on the governing board of the Uganda AIDS Commission, said widows should count themselves lucky despite their state of widowhood.
‘God knows you and is ready to give you extraordinary strength like he did to Naomi. When all their husbands died, Ruth sets a great example by sticking with her mother-in-law who knew God personally and was granted favour,’ she said.
‘Do not give up on yourself. No one can ever replace you as a woman. You were purposefully created for such a season as this.’
According to Dr Akiror, women have been granted great wisdom to stand together in different ministries like counseling and supporting each other to succeed together.
‘I encourage each one of you to belong to a Christian group for support. Above all, the government of Uganda has put some programmes in place,’ she said.
Rev Barbara T. Mugisha, Provincial Coordinator at the Church of Uganda Directorate of Mission and Outreach, said it is high time leaders rose up and highlighted the plight of the marginalised widows.
‘Widows have been mistreated. They have been segregated. They have been discriminated against. They deserve our voice. They deserve dignity, justice and support,’ she said.
Enid Atuhaire Origumisiriza, Kabale Woman Member of Parliament, who was the guest speaker at the event, said widows should not suffer any form of injustices like property grabbing, discrimination or exclusion from economic activities and opportunities.
However, the reality in Uganda tells a different story. ‘According to research, more than one-third of widows in some regions of Uganda, including here in Lango Sub-region, have experienced first attempts to seize their land and property after the death of their husbands,’ said the legislator.
Mr Francis Ocira, program manager at the Redeem International Lira Field Office, said their organisation’s mission is to protect the land and property rights of widows and orphans.
By partnering with Ugandan government structures, the non-for-profit organisation ensures that legal protections are enforced and that vulnerable families can live safely on their ancestral land.
‘When a complaint is received, the organisation collaborates closely with the police to ensure thorough investigations and with the Director of Public Prosecutions to bring cases to court,’ said Mr Ocira.
This partnership extends to the local government and the judiciary to ensure that crimes against widows and orphans are met with formal legal consequences. Beyond legal aid, the organisation provides basic psychosocial support and counseling, utilising a referral network for cases that fall outside their specific criteria.
By focusing on prosecution as a means of deterrence and highlighting the necessity of proper land documentation, Mr Ocira and his team work to ensure that widows and orphans are not just victims of circumstance, but protected citizens with secure futures.