| dc.description.abstract | Article 237(1) of the Constitution (Constitution of Uganda, 1995) states that land belongs to the citizens of
Uganda and Article 26(1) protects the right to own property either individually or in association with others
for instance groups of people who hold land communally. Article 33 pertains specifically to the rights of
women and requires that (1) the government must provide opportunities to enhance the welfare of women and
enable them to reach their full potential, and (2) women have rights equal to men in areas including political,
economic, and social activities.
Compulsory land acquisition projects in Uganda in the recent years have emerged as a matter of critical
concern, significantly impacting several women's land rights. Deininger et al., (2018) found that Uganda's land
tenure systems often perpetuate gender inequalities, leaving women particularly vulnerable to the adverse
effects of compulsory land acquisition.
Ghebru & Holden, (2019) highlighted the intricate connection between poverty, gender disparities, and the
heightened risk of women losing their land rights when faced with compulsory acquisition. Socio economic
factors in most instances play a central role in exacerbating women's vulnerability to land dispossession.
Therefore, there is an urgent need to examine the socio-economic dimensions of this issue, by prioritizing the
importance of inclusive policies that consider the unique challenges faced by women in the context of land
ownership especially in Uganda.
In their study, Daley et al., (2017) contribute significantly to the discourse by emphasizing the critical role of
government policies and institutions in either protecting or compromising women's land rights. They argued
for a closer examination of the regulatory environment to ascertain the effectiveness of current measures in
safeguarding women's land tenure. This underscores the significance of understanding the broader institutional
context within which compulsory land acquisition projects unfold.
Efforts to address these challenges posed by compulsory land acquisition projects have been documented in
the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGTs) (FAO, 2022). However, a study
by Doss et al., (2014) reveals that there are limitations in these initiatives, particularly in their lack of a gender sensitive approach. This calls for a comprehensive analysis into the gender dimension within land acquisition
projects, emphasizing the need for policies that explicitly consider and protect women's rights.
Land dispossession not only impacts women's rights but also has broader implications for their economic
empowerment. (Deininger et al., 2018), show the economic consequences of compulsory land acquisition, its
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potential to disrupt women's livelihoods and it perpetuates cycles of poverty. Understanding these economic
dimensions is crucial for crafting interventions that not only protect land rights but also contribute to the
sustainable economic empowerment of women. The nexus between gender, land rights, and poverty is cardinal
in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 1 (No
Poverty). This aligns with these global commitments, emphasizes targeted policy reforms and community
interventions, to foster gender-equitable land ownership and the empowering women. | en_US |
