Legal Constraints On Women's Land Rights In Uganda: A Case Study Of Soroti Municipality

ABSTRACT

In this study "legal constraints on women's land rights in Uganda", a case study of Soroti

Municipality was carried out in Soroti Municipality which is in Uganda, with general and

specific objectives of assessing the applicability of the existing customs and cultural practices in

our society which bar women from owning and inheriting land in the country.

The study considered findings that indicated that the existing customs and cultural practices are

contradicting the constitution of Uganda 1995 which gives women a right to own properly or

inherit from their parents and acknowledges that all men and women are equal before the law,

the study further gave that the existing customs and cultural practices are barbaric in nature and

as such they exist·only with the consent of traditional rigid leaders and men with selfish interests

in the society.

The study concluded that the existing customs and cultural practices which deter women from

owning and inheriting land in society needed to be abolished with the inclusion of tough

sanctions in order to see women owning land in Uganda.

The study recommended that in creating a balance in owning property by both men and women,

the government must create an influence on the mind of the society most especially the men so

that they start looking at women as fellow human beings with needs in society and educating

women on their rights of land ownership is paramount in Uganda.