As Uganda celebrates International Women's Day, land rights groups working with the Stand for Her Land Campaign want the government to pass better laws that help women access and control land.
Women face many barriers when trying to manage land because of unfair cultural beliefs, complicated ownership rules, not enough money for fair land services, an expensive court system, and corrupt land officials who make things harder through unnecessary paperwork.
Studies show when women have secure land rights, good things happen for everyone. Families earn more money, children eat better food, women make more decisions, less violence happens against women, farms produce more crops, and the economy grows stronger.
The Food and Agriculture Organization reported in 2011 that if women farmers had the same resources as men, especially land, they could grow 20-30% more food. This boost might feed 100-150 million hungry people around the world.
Uganda has made some progress toward fair land rights, but problems remain that worry many people. These include ongoing land fights, people stealing land and forcing others off, trouble getting justice for land issues, and not enough funding for local land management groups.
Last year saw terrible violence against women in land disputes. An elderly woman from the Lubigi settlement faced excessive force. Victoria Kabatoraine from Mbarara City was dragged through the mud by police and arrested when she peacefully tried to protect her land.
Speaking to news reporters in Kampala on Friday, members of the Stand for Her Land Campaign said men often use land-related violence as a way to keep control over women and maintain their power.
One shocking case from last year involved Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegie, who her boyfriend killed during a fight about land and property rights.
The land rights defenders asked the government to strengthen laws ensuring women can safely access and control land.
Dr. Doreen Kobusingye, who leads the National Land Coalition Uganda, stressed the urgent need for stronger legal protections that guarantee women's access to and control over land.
The coalition demanded authorities arrest anyone who commits or helps others commit violence against women and girls.
They called for the absolute rejection of excessive force when solving land disputes. They want the government to fully investigate violent incidents and ensure that those responsible face consequences. They believe everyone deserves to feel safe when exercising their rights.
Stella Rose Akutuki, who coordinates the Women's Land Rights Movement, explained that increasing violence against women in land disputes hurts their role in both the economy and society.
She added this violence keeps women at the edges of society and prevents them from becoming rightful landowners and decision-makers at home and in their communities.
When women lose their land through violence, entire communities become unstable. This creates more tension, breaks down community bonds, and leaves lasting damage on families who experience such trauma.
Uganda's government has worked toward meeting international commitments on women's land rights and advancing Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 and 5a.
Officials have reformed systems, operations, and laws in land management to promote gender equality across the country.
For example, they simplified land registration from 27 steps to just four steps. They also created an easy-to-use digital system called the Uganda National Land Information System, where people can look up land information online. This saves time and keeps digital records safe.
The government has made big improvements in land registration projects across districts like Butalejja, Kiboga, Butambala, Gomba, Namutumba, Kaliro, and Kaabong. Land registration helps make ownership secure and allows people to use and develop their land properly.
The current review of the 2013 National Land Policy shows progress toward fairer land management. The Marriage Bill 2024 aims to improve property rights during marriage and divorce.
Members of both advocacy groups emphasized that securing women's land rights remains essential for achieving gender equality throughout Uganda.
Women face many barriers when trying to manage land because of unfair cultural beliefs, complicated ownership rules, not enough money for fair land services, an expensive court system, and corrupt land officials who make things harder through unnecessary paperwork.
Studies show when women have secure land rights, good things happen for everyone. Families earn more money, children eat better food, women make more decisions, less violence happens against women, farms produce more crops, and the economy grows stronger.
The Food and Agriculture Organization reported in 2011 that if women farmers had the same resources as men, especially land, they could grow 20-30% more food. This boost might feed 100-150 million hungry people around the world.
Uganda has made some progress toward fair land rights, but problems remain that worry many people. These include ongoing land fights, people stealing land and forcing others off, trouble getting justice for land issues, and not enough funding for local land management groups.
Last year saw terrible violence against women in land disputes. An elderly woman from the Lubigi settlement faced excessive force. Victoria Kabatoraine from Mbarara City was dragged through the mud by police and arrested when she peacefully tried to protect her land.
Speaking to news reporters in Kampala on Friday, members of the Stand for Her Land Campaign said men often use land-related violence as a way to keep control over women and maintain their power.
One shocking case from last year involved Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegie, who her boyfriend killed during a fight about land and property rights.
The land rights defenders asked the government to strengthen laws ensuring women can safely access and control land.
Dr. Doreen Kobusingye, who leads the National Land Coalition Uganda, stressed the urgent need for stronger legal protections that guarantee women's access to and control over land.
The coalition demanded authorities arrest anyone who commits or helps others commit violence against women and girls.
They called for the absolute rejection of excessive force when solving land disputes. They want the government to fully investigate violent incidents and ensure that those responsible face consequences. They believe everyone deserves to feel safe when exercising their rights.
Stella Rose Akutuki, who coordinates the Women's Land Rights Movement, explained that increasing violence against women in land disputes hurts their role in both the economy and society.
She added this violence keeps women at the edges of society and prevents them from becoming rightful landowners and decision-makers at home and in their communities.
When women lose their land through violence, entire communities become unstable. This creates more tension, breaks down community bonds, and leaves lasting damage on families who experience such trauma.
Uganda's government has worked toward meeting international commitments on women's land rights and advancing Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 and 5a.
Officials have reformed systems, operations, and laws in land management to promote gender equality across the country.
For example, they simplified land registration from 27 steps to just four steps. They also created an easy-to-use digital system called the Uganda National Land Information System, where people can look up land information online. This saves time and keeps digital records safe.
The government has made big improvements in land registration projects across districts like Butalejja, Kiboga, Butambala, Gomba, Namutumba, Kaliro, and Kaabong. Land registration helps make ownership secure and allows people to use and develop their land properly.
The current review of the 2013 National Land Policy shows progress toward fairer land management. The Marriage Bill 2024 aims to improve property rights during marriage and divorce.
Members of both advocacy groups emphasized that securing women's land rights remains essential for achieving gender equality throughout Uganda.
