Land is more than just a resource—it’s a foundation for security, equality, and opportunity. Yet, for many women in Uganda, systemic barriers prevent equitable access to land ownership. Since 2019, Cadasta has been collaborating with Uganda’s Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development (MLHUD) to document and formalize customary land holdings and strengthen tenure security for communities across five districts. With support from the Rising Tide Foundation and Trimble Foundation Fund, this partnership has a particular focus on gender equality by addressing long-standing inequities, creating pathways to secure land rights for women, and fostering greater gender equity.
Breaking Barriers to Women’s Land Ownership
Although Uganda’s Land Act guarantees women the right to own land, cultural norms and misconceptions often deny women this right, confining them to access or use rights under customary tenure systems. To tackle these challenges, Cadasta, in partnership with the Uganda Community-Based Association for Women and Children’s Welfare (UCOBAC), conducted a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Survey in Namutumba and Kaliro districts. The survey findings revealed:
Limited Awareness: Many women are unaware of their legal rights, such as the requirement for spousal consent in land transactions.
Patriarchal Norms: Male dominance in land ownership marginalizes women, with inheritance often favoring sons over daughters.
Vulnerable Groups: Widows and childless women are particularly at risk of losing land to male relatives.
These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions to promote gender-equitable land ownership and protect women from dispossession and economic insecurity.
Our Response: Solutions That Drive Change
In response to the survey findings, Cadasta and UCOBAC are implementing gender-sensitive strategies to address barriers to women’s land rights. These efforts include expanded sensitization campaigns using local media, village meetings, and educational materials to raise awareness about women’s land rights under the Land Act. Additionally, legal literacy programs are being conducted to empower women with knowledge of their rights and equip them with the tools to resolve disputes effectively. To ensure inclusive land documentation, affirmative action measures are in place to guarantee that women’s names are included on Customary Certificates of Ownership (CCOs). Data collection teams are trained in gender-sensitive approaches, ensuring equitable representation of both men and women in the documentation process. Furthermore, community involvement is a key focus, with local leaders receiving training to champion gender equity and actively involve women in decision-making processes related to land allocation and ownership. These combined efforts aim to create a more equitable and inclusive approach to land rights in Uganda.
The Impact: Transforming Lives and Communities
These efforts are making a tangible difference. To date, Cadasta and its partners have documented over 10,000 parcels of customary land and issued nearly 5,000 CCOs in Uganda. Of these, 3,538 parcels (over 70%) are owned or co-owned by women, a significant milestone toward gender equity in land ownership.
By securing legal recognition of their land rights, women in these districts are gaining the confidence to advocate for themselves, invest in their land, and provide for their families. This progress is not only transforming individual lives but also challenging entrenched norms and fostering a cultural shift toward gender-inclusive land practices.
Looking Ahead: Building a More Equitable Future
The Supporting Women Through Land Rights in Uganda project aims to issue 25,000 CCOs, with half expected to include women as sole or joint owners. This initiative lays the groundwork for a future where land ownership is not dictated by gender but by equal opportunity.
Cadasta’s work with UCOBAC highlights the power of partnerships in addressing systemic barriers, empowering women, and building stronger, more resilient communities. Together, we are proving that securing land rights is a critical step toward achieving lasting gender equity and sustainable development in Uganda.