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Transparency International Uganda (TIU) an anti graft agency has launched a report indication that Corruption and ignorance of the law are the most pressing issues blocking women from enjoying full land rights and ownership.
Titled “Women, Land and Corruption, the 71 paged report shows that most women don’t have full ownership on the land they claim is theirs because corruption tendencies have engulfed the lands offices and not many women don’t know the right procedu4s to process ownership of Land.
These according to the lead researcher Allen Muyomba the situation has been worsened by cohabiting a category to which most marriages belong.
According to the report findings socials Economic factors like high female illiteracy rate, ignorance of land rights, lack of resources to claim their rights, internalized discrimination and religious and cultural practices that under look women.
The report has been launched at hotel Africana by the Director of Physical planning, Mr Severino Kasigaire flanked by transparency international country Director Peter Wandera.
“This report is a clear indication that as government we have a lot to do to ensure equitable access and ownership of land, these women are part of us so we should do them justice by giving them what they deserve” said Mr. Kasigaire.
According to Transparency International country Director Peter Wandera, the report is part of an initiative lunched some time back to contribute to improved livelihoods of men and women adversely affected by corrupt practices in land administration.
“This report sought to examine the linkages of corruption and gender, identify and highlight the challenges directly affecting women, men and other vulnerable groups on access, distribution and land usage in Uganda” he said.
Speaking at the launch, David Obo the spokesperson of the land ministry confirms that the suppression of women’s land ownership rights to ignorance of the law and procedures.
“Many people especially women think land brokers or dealers are the best option to settle their land disputes, I know of a lady who gave a land broker land purchase agreements to help him process a land title but instead the broker disappeared and she now blames the ministry of lands” said Obo.
The Report also profiles the peculiar land conflicts and disputes in Uganda which include, Landlord and tenant, Eviction of Tenants, kabala land question , Pastoralists, Gazetted land among others.
By Joshua Mutale