The Office of the Administrator General convened a high-level stakeholders’ engagement meeting at Lekasa Gardens in Mukono Town. The event served as a vital platform to sensitize local government leaders and the public on the recent amendments to Uganda’s succession laws, as well as to promote family mediation as a key approach in the management of estates for deceased persons, persons with mental disabilities, and missing persons.
The meeting brought together Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), Town Clerks, Parish Chiefs, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Magistrates from Mukono High Court Circuit area and Registrars from Mukono High Court among others whose presence underscored the Judiciary’s central role in the interpretation and enforcement of the updated laws and in promoting effective Estates Management practices.
In his opening remarks, the Administrator General Mr. Victor Manzi, emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in effectively implementing the mandate of the office. He gave a brief synopsis on the mandate of the office of the Administrator General, breaking down for the participants the Departments and Divisions under the office and their roles. He briefly mentioned that the recent amendments to the Succession Laws are designed to address long-standing challenges in Estate Administration and to protect the rights of all beneficiaries, especially women, children, and other vulnerable groups without prejudice to any would-be beneficiary.
The Acting Deputy Administrator General, Mr. Charles Balala, then gave participants comprehensive guidance on the amended Succession Act, including changes in the distribution of estates, roles of local authorities in estate management, and procedures for declaring persons missing or mentally incapacitated. This practical session offered tools and techniques for resolving any disputes, if they emerge amicably and avoiding protracted legal battles.
The engagement further allowed for an open dialogue which was led by Mr. Henry Kuloba, where stakeholders shared field experiences, challenges, and suggestions for strengthening collaboration between community leaders, the Judiciary, and the Office of the Administrator General and its agents. Many emphasized the need for continuous sensitization and legal literacy among the public.
In closing, the remarks were given by the deputy RDC, Mr. Hassan Kasibante, on behalf of all other stakeholders who expressed appreciation for the initiative and committed to cascading the knowledge gained to their communities. He even pledged to partner with the office of the Administrator General to organize more events of the sort in the future so that such information reaches more and more people who are its real beneficiaries. The event marked a strong step forward in creating a more responsive, inclusive, and just estate administration system in Uganda, with the Office of the Administrator General, Judiciary, Local leadership, and communities working hand in hand.
