Addressing barriers that limit women from realizing their rights to access and own land

In Uganda, the challenges women face are linked to long-standing norms or are the result of
gender-discriminatory legal frameworks. For example, outdated legislation may not reflect
women’s full rights to land. This can take many forms, including outright blocking women from
purchasing property, failing to recognize the rights granted to a couple living together without
a formally registered marriage, or failing to properly prioritize women in the receipt of an
inheritance in some sub-regions where land is typically passed down among male family
members.
However, while the recognition and realization of women’s land rights has often faced
challenges, there have recently been some encouraging signs of progress. The 1995
constitution and the land act 1998, for example, provides for legal recognition for land rights,
including customary land rights including a right for all individuals of 18 years and above to own
land . Importantly, the Constitution encourages eliminating all forms of discrimination against
women including practices that discriminates women from land ownership.
Chapter Fifteen is supporting women in Uganda to realize their rights to access and own land.
For example, Chapter Fifteen is implementing a project that involves working closely with
authorities to register land titles to married couples in both the wife’s and husband’s names,
with equal ownership shares – and with the woman’s name listed first. This ensures that the
land will belong entirely to her in the event she is widowed, divorced, or abandoned.