On September 19, 2025, a 25-year-old land dispute in Ilagara Village, Kamise Ward, Kigoma Region, was peacefully resolved through inclusive community mediation facilitated by ESS Creative and Legal Foundation.
The dispute involved Monica Karoli Gengana, a widow of the late Karoli Gengana, and Charles Lusyo Bondo, a farm worker entrusted by the deceased to care for an 84.5-hectare farm after his passing in 2000. Despite Monica’s family holding the land’s title deed, they had not returned to the property for years, while Charles took care of and maintained full control over it.
As Monica’s children grew and sought to reclaim their father’s land, tensions escalated when both sides disagreed on compensation for Charles’s long-term care of the land.
After years of failed attempts to resolve the matter, Monica reached out to ESS Creative and Legal Foundation for support.
Mr. Erick Mukiza, Accredited Mediator and Executive Director of ESS, traveled from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma with Monica and her family. While in Kigoma, he empowered the Acting Ward Executive Officer, Ms. Triphonia Emmanuel Kasula, by guiding her through the mediation process and equipping her with practical mediation skills. Ms. Kasula then successfully mediated the dispute, with Erick providing leadership support and involving community police to maintain peace and harmony.
In just one hour, the two parties reached an agreement: Monica and her family would compensate Charles by building him a three-bedroom house and providing additional cash payment, while Charles agreed to return the land to its rightful owners.
This dispute is an example of how community-based mediation can resolve even decades-long disputes—peacefully and in a timely manner.
Charles Lusyo Bondo had psychological trauma and emotional stress before mediation
Joint Mediation Session at the Ward Executive Office, Ilagara Village: Ms. Triphonia Emmanuel Kasula, the Acting Ward Executive Officer, leading the mediation session after she has been empowered
Monica Karoli Gengana, a widow, Mr. Erick Mukiza, Accredited Mediator, Ms. Triphonia Emmanuel Kasula, the Acting Ward Executive Officer, and Charles Lusyo Bondo, a farm worker. holding the Settlement deed
Monica Karoli Gengana and Charles Lusyo Bondo are happy after a successful mediation
Monica's family and Charles's family are happy after their broken relationship has been restored