Some women in the greater Kabale area are calling on the government to enact policies that would guarantee them full rights to property acquired jointly with their spouses, saying such measures would help them access loans and achieve their economic goals.
The appeal comes as Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day, held under the theme “Scaling up Investment to Accelerate Access to Justice for all Women and Girls in Uganda.”
The women argue that despite government efforts to promote women’s emancipation, many women still lack legal control over property they have worked together with their husbands to acquire.
Anna Tinka, the Director of the Kigezi Girls Cultural Foundation, says the lack of clear ownership rights prevents many women from expanding their businesses. According to Tinka, financial institutions often require land titles or property ownership as collateral, yet many women cannot access such documents even when they contributed to acquiring the property.
She notes that this has slowed the growth and development of women-led businesses despite the efforts women make to start and sustain them.
Tinka further observed that although policies promoting gender equality exist, their implementation remains weak. She called on the government to make deliberate efforts to harmonize policy formulation with effective implementation.
CUE IN… TINKA ON LAND RR/ENG…//
Former Kabale District Woman Member of Parliament aspirant Trust Kyomugisha says that when the government promoted equality between men and women, some men interpreted it differently and withdrew from their responsibilities of providing for their families.
Kyomugisha adds that women are largely responsible for growing food for their families, but when the crops are harvested, some men claim full ownership and insist on selling the produce. She says this has contributed to household conflicts and cases of gender-based violence.
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Kabale District Woman Member of Parliament Hon Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira says, claims that women are fully emancipated are often misleading, noting that many women still face serious economic and cultural barriers.
She explains that rising poverty levels have worsened violations of women’s rights, while cultural practices continue to limit women’s ownership of land and property. According to Ndamira, in many communities’ land inheritance still favors sons, even when daughters are equally entitled.
Meanwhile, former Kabale District Woman MP aspirant Musimenta Chrispine Rwaboona says International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, wisdom, compassion, and faith of women who shape families, communities, and nations.
Rwaboona noted that women play multiple roles in society, including reproduction, production, and community leadership, often guided by love, courage, and wisdom.
She called on society to respect, uplift, and empower women everywhere, emphasizing that when women are valued and supported, families become stronger and societies prosper.
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