Women activists demand action on land rights amid rising evictions
A woman checks out the features on her land title. Studying the features on a land title before engaging in a land transaction is one of the things a buyer can do to avoid being duped. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Authorities condemned the rising violence against women over land disputes.
As Uganda marks International Women’s Day (IWD) today, March 8, women land rights activists have urged the government to tackle increasing land grabbing, evictions, and disputes that disproportionately affect women, particularly in rural areas.
Speaking in Kampala on March 7, members of the Stand for Her Land Campaign and the Women’s Land Rights Movement warned that unclear land tenure systems, corruption, and weak legal protections have worsened the crisis.
“The prevalence of land disputes, both at the family and community levels, continues to grow. These conflicts have led to deaths, disrupted social cohesion, and undermined economic stability,” the activists said in a joint statement.
They noted that land conflicts make up 23% of civil cases in Ugandan courts, with resolutions often taking up to six years due to bureaucracy and a monetized justice system.
Caroline Kayanja, Senior Program Officer at the Uganda Community-Based Association for Women and Children’s Welfare (UCOBAC), highlighted the gendered impact of land disputes.
“Land grabbing remains rampant, with local communities losing land to powerful individuals, private investors, and government projects. This has increased economic vulnerability and human rights violations,” she said.
Lilian Achola, Executive Director of Landnet Uganda, acknowledged government efforts to decentralize land services, but noted funding remains inadequate for effective implementation.
Stella Rose Akutui, coordinator of the Women’s Land Rights Movement, said deep-rooted patriarchy still marginalizes women in land ownership.
“Women work on land for years yet have no power to control, manage, or inherit it,” she noted.
Call for urgent reforms
Dr Doreen Kobusingye, a facilitator at the National Land Coalition Uganda, condemned the rising violence against women over land disputes.
“This brutality erodes trust in state institutions. Authorities must act to protect women’s land rights,” she said.
This year’s IWD theme, "Accelerating Action for Gender Equality," underscores the urgency of reforming land governance to ensure women’s security and economic empowerment.
