Why Dying Without a Will Can Tear Families Apart

What the report says

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has begun a public sensitisation drive in Lango on succession and property inheritance, using a rally at Mayor’s Garden in Lira City on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to warn residents about the risks of dying without a valid will. The campaign is aimed at helping communities understand Uganda’s laws on estates, inheritance and the orderly transfer of property after death.

According to the ministry officials quoted by Dokolo Post, the effort is being led through the Lira Regional Office and will be expanded to other districts in the Lango sub-region. Principal State Attorney Simon Peter Muyomba said the office plans more media outreach and community engagements to improve public awareness of legal procedures and available guidance on succession matters.

Lira City East Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner Stephen Odongo cautioned that families often fall into conflict when property becomes disputed after a death, and said making a will can reduce disagreement and protect family unity. Senior State Attorney Ocol Ambrose outlined the documents needed to start a succession case, while Senior State Attorney Martha Akurut warned against excluding children from inheritance. She said Ugandan law recognizes equal inheritance rights for biological and legally adopted children, and urged people to prepare valid wills while in sound mind.

The broader significance, as the ministry presented it, is that clear estate planning can prevent disputes, reduce delays in administration and help families avoid breakdowns over property. In general legal practice, succession systems are designed to provide a formal path for transferring assets when someone dies.