Uganda: Empowering Communities to Advance Women’s Land Rights in Hoima

Hoima and Kikuube District are socially diverse areas with a mix of rural and urban populations where cultural traditions and community structures strongly influence land ownership and gender roles. The region is driven by agriculture, small-scale trade and growing oil-related activities, creating both opportunities and pressures on land and livelihoods.
Led by the Mid-western Region Anti-Corruption Coalition (MIRAC) with support from Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) and technical support from UN Women, a Joint Monitoring visit with the WPHF Steering Committee Members on the 24 May revealed more than just project progress, it told a story of shifting mindsets, growing confidence, and communities beginning to take ownership of land rights and justice. The visit brought together women group members, local council leaders, area land committee representatives, Land Monitors and district technical teams. At the heart of these engagements was a shared goal: strengthening women’s participation in land conflict prevention and resolution.
Across seven women’s groups in Kigorobya, Kapaapi, Kiganja, and Bombo sub-counties, powerful transformations were evident. Women spoke with clarity and confidence about their rights understanding many for the first time, that they can legally own land individually within families, government systems or through clan systems. Some had already taken bold steps to purchase land and formalize agreements. Others had become community advocates, using everyday space markets, savings groups, and even water points to pass on knowledge about land rights and legal marriage.
“What once felt like sensitive or misunderstood topics such as writing wills or formalizing marriages are now being openly discussed” Grace Agaba, MIRAC land monitor. 
Families are beginning to see wills not as a taboo, but as practical tools for ensuring fairness and reducing conflict. In homes, women reported a decline in domestic disputes, attributing this to improved communication and conflict resolution skills gained through the project.
Engagements with local leaders and district officials revealed equally significant progress. “Leaders have strengthened their understanding of land governance, learning to draft clearer land agreements, conduct due diligence before endorsing land transactions and promote transparency” Resident Commissioner Hoima City. Importantly many now actively advocate for women’s inclusion in land agreements and for equal inheritance rights for girls challenging long held cultural norms.
These changes are not happening in isolation. Community driven approaches, such as drama and storytelling have proven especially effective in breaking down complex legal concepts and encouraging reflection. Male engagement is also growing, with increasing recognition of the role men and boys play in promoting gender equality and reducing land related conflicts.
Yet, the journey is not without challenges. Leaders highlighted persistent issues, including informal land sales without proper documentation, limited consultation during transactions, and resource constraints that hinder their work. Deep rooted beliefs still limit women’s inheritance rights, particularly where men view daughters as belonging to other families after marriage.
Despite these hurdles the momentum is clear. Communities are asking for more refresher trainings, engagement, and platforms to learn and share knowledge around Land rights, ownership, governance and more. There is a strong call to expand outreach, especially targeting men, and to continue using innovative approaches like community drama to deepen understanding.
The Hoima joint monitoring field visit ultimately painted a hopeful picture: one where knowledge is transforming attitudes, communities are becoming more accountable, and women are steadily claiming their space in land ownership and decision-making.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.
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