Resource information
This study documents women’s aspirations in relation to land in Kibaale district, Uganda. The study was designed to identify the gaps between those aspirations and the current reality, the actions required for their achievement, and the implications of those actions. Based on qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, information was gathered from 60 women belonging to the two villages, Nyanacumu and Kanywamiyaga, in the sub-county of Muhorro in Kibaale district. Researchers used appreciative inquiry, participant observation, narratives, focus groups, photos and video recording.
The findings are presented here according to the study’s main themes. These are: women’s aspirations in relation to land; women’s current reality regarding land; bridging the gap between aspirations and current reality; recommended changes and actions required to attain women’s aspirations; and progress. The major finding of this study is that women aspire to own land in order to share in the benefits of its utilisation. While they are motivated to act upon this desire, women meet stiff resistance because of the sensitive nature of land issues in Kibaale district.
The study established that poor institutional governance is a major impediment to the realization of women’s aspirations for land. Women face the challenges of low literacy levels, poor land administration, legal inconsistencies, corruption and ignorance of the law, unsanctioned marital unions and the gender insensitivity of land administration institutions.
You can download this publication from the website of the International Land Coalition or below. A Policy Brief is also available.
This work was carried out as part of a 3-year collaborative project entitled “Securing Women’s Access to Land: Linking Research and Action”, coordinated by the International Land Coalition (ILC), the Makerere Institute for Social Studies (MISR) of Makerere University in Uganda, and the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) of the University of Western Cape in South Africa. This report is part of a wider initiative on Women’s Land Rights. If you would like further information on the initiative and on the collaborating partners, please feel free to contact the International Land Coalition.
