The widows dance after receiving hoes on Wednesday

By Chris Ocowun

WOMEN who lost their husbands in the Lord’s resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in Acholi have formed an association to lobby for Government support as they return to their villages.

Gulu Widows Development Association has so far registered over 2,000 widows from all the return areas in Gulu district.

“We have been neglected by our leaders yet we have orphans to look after. We appeal to the Government to give us goats which we can rear to get income,” said Contansia Lajara, 52.

On Wednesday, the association gave out 300 hoes to its members in Palaro and Patiko sub-counties.

“You should not lose hope, we shall bring you seeds and other assistance,” Pastor Caroline Laloyo said.

Many of the widows complained of harassment and forceful inheritance by their in-laws.

Membership to the association is exclusively for those who have remained single after the death of their husbands and those who have been inherited by their in-laws.

Gulu district speaker Martin Ojara Mapenduzi and the Woman MP, Betty Aol Ocan, pledged to lobby for assistance for the widows.