Women's Land Rights in Uganda

ILC's collaboration with Sheffield University gives students the opportunity to get to know ILC members and gives ILC the advantage of ‘’fresh eyes’’ to examine ILC work areas. In 2024, the Gender Justice team hosted Ipek Su Durmaz and Wan-Sin Tsao. They explored gender perspectives in the land sector in Jordan and Uganda, through dedicated interviews with key informants and regional experts from ILC's membership. In this post, Wan-Sin Tsao explores the fight for women's land rights in Uganda, through the lens of the interviews she's conducted.

In Uganda, the fight for land rights for women is both crucial and complex, deeply intertwined with the country's legal frameworks, social norms, and economic conditions.

Despite significant strides in gender equality, women in Uganda still face considerable challenges when it comes to owning and controlling land—a critical resource in a predominantly agricultural society.

The Current Status of Women's Land Rights

Uganda boasts a relatively progressive legal framework designed to promote gender equality and protect women's rights, including those related to land ownership. Laws have been enacted and revised to address inequalities, yet the practical implementation of these laws remains problematic. Only 16% of land in Uganda is registered in the names of women, underscoring the gap between legal provisions and reality. This discrepancy is largely driven by deeply entrenched social and gender norms, which continue to favor men as the primary landowners and decision-makers in most communities.

Three Challenges Faced by Ugandan Women

One of the most significant challenges in promoting women's land rights in Uganda is the country's dual legal system, which includes both statutory laws and customary practices. While statutory laws may advocate for equal rights, the patriarchal nature of Ugandan society often means that customary laws—favoring men—take precedence in many communities. This patriarchal dominance affects how land is owned, managed, and allocated, leaving women at a disadvantage.

Additionally, the land sector in Uganda suffers from chronic underfunding. This both limits the government's ability to enforce laws and to provide necessary services, such as  programmes helping women navigate the legal and social barriers to land ownership.

Social and gender norms also play a crucial role in perpetuating the inequality in land ownership. These norms dictate that men are the primary decision-makers and owners of land, while women are often seen as secondary citizens. Such beliefs not only limit women's access to land but also affect their confidence and ability to assert their rights.

The Importance of Women's Land Ownership

Owning land is not just a matter of economic empowerment for women in Uganda; it is also a means of elevating their status within the family and society. Land ownership provides women with a sense of security and confidence, allowing them to participate more fully in community and household decisions. Women who own land are more likely to be respected by their husbands and communities, as land is often seen as a symbol of power and stability.

Efforts to Improve Women's Land Rights

Various organizations in Uganda are actively working to improve women's land rights. One notable example is the Stand for Her Land campaign, a global initiative aimed at closing the gap between the legal framework and its implementation. This campaign empowers grassroots women to advocate for their rights and engage in land governance processes, ensuring that their voices are heard at the national and community levels.

Another important initiative is the development of curricula to transform harmful social and gender norms surrounding women's land rights. These programs engage both men and women, helping communities to reframe their understanding of land ownership and encouraging joint decision-making within households.