Musimenta Winnie is a 17 year old, HIV positive
orphan who has been under the care of her uncle since 2005. Life did not turn
out the way Winnie expected nor did it get better over the years. The care
provided by her uncle was inadequate and unlawful. Her basic needs were barely
met, her uncle stopped her from taking ARVs, and he began seizing her parents'
properties.
The situation worsened in 2013 when her
attendance at school became irregular because she could no longer access scholastic
materials. Moreover, her uncle had started selling off some of her parents'
properties. The poor girl desperately approached Ssewajje Emma; a paralegal of
Kasankala parish trained under the Rakai Community Based Rights project. The
paralegal swiftly intervened and advised the relatives of Musimenta to organize
a clan meeting to discuss the estates of the deceased and the future of the
orphans. Despite the fact that the meeting was held, and the members resolved
that the estate be handed over to another relative who could manage it
properly, when Winnie attained the age of the majority, the uncle refused to
hand over the estate.
With the uncle's refusal, Emma turned to
law enforcement for assistance. He referred the case to Lwamagwa Police
Station. The police were able to track down the person who had purchased the
property; however, they failed to take action. Emma then referred the case to
Rakai Police Station. With the support of the District Police Commander, the
case was successfully settled when the buyer was asked to immediately vacate
the premises and stopped any developments on the banana plantation.
Consequently, the poor girl regained control over land.
An alternative care family was also identified
for Winnie. Winnie is
currently happy living with Mr and Mrs Hamuzune Sadiq of
Nongo village (another relative to Musimenta) in Kasankala parish. She has also
resumed taking ARVs and attending school regularly.
currently happy living with Mr and Mrs Hamuzune Sadiq of
Nongo village (another relative to Musimenta) in Kasankala parish. She has also
resumed taking ARVs and attending school regularly.
"Nashemererwa munonga ahabwo Mwami Ssewajje
ahabwokuba anyambire kyihango munonga omu magara gangye. Anyambiire munonga
okugaruka kutunga itanga ryangye, okugarukamu okushoma kandi tinyerarikyirire
ebiro by'omumisho n'obunakuba ndwire siriimu" she proudly narrates
In English: "I am very appreciative of the support by Mr. Ssewajje which has significantly changed my life. As of now I have secured my land, regularly attend school and not worried about the future despite being HIV positive"
In English: "I am very appreciative of the support by Mr. Ssewajje which has significantly changed my life. As of now I have secured my land, regularly attend school and not worried about the future despite being HIV positive"
