Right to Own Property: Mwiza’s Story
After surviving the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi as young children, Mwiza and her brother John grew up without their parents and were under the care of their uncle. Their parents had left behind family land, but because Mwiza and Shyaka were minors, the uncle assumed control of the property as their guardian. Instead of safeguarding it for them, he eventually sold the land without their consent. When John passed away in 2017, Mwiza became the only surviving heir. Determined to reclaim her parents’ property, she began seeking justice. She first brought her complaint before the Abunzi committees at both the cell and sector levels, but each decision was ruled against her. Refusing to give up, Mwiza turned to the Legal Aid Forum, where she was assigned a lawyer to support her through the legal process. The lawyer filed her claim before the Primary Court, but unfortunately the court dismissed the case. The legal complexity of the guardian’s actions and the fact that the title deed did not have Mwiza’s name contributed to decisions that did not recognize her rightful inheritance. After reviewing the judgment, LAF identified signs of injustice and submitted a request for a review of the judgment. The President of the Supreme Court accepted the request and ordered the case to be reheard. It was transferred to the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare to ensure a fair hearing. Before the Intermediate Court, LAF’s lawyer presented the full history of the property, the circumstances under which the uncle had taken control, and the fact that Mwiza and John had been minors at the time and therefore unable to protect their rights. After a full review, the court recognized Mwiza as the rightful heir and restored her ownership of the land originally left by her parents. Today, Mwiza stands proudly on the property that once seemed lost forever. She now shares her story with other women and girls, reminding them that in Rwanda, inheritance and property rights belong equally to all. Her journey shows how justice can correct historical wrongs.
