Right to land property: A case of widows in Wakiso District

Abstract

The study investigated the Land Property Rights of Widows in Uganda a case study of Wakiso District. The study examined the Coping Strategies of Land Property and Livelihoods of the Widows in the Sub-Counties of Nangabo, Kakiri and Kira in Wakiso District.

A representative sample of 73 respondents was randomly selected for investigation. This included; 3 Sub-County Chiefs, 10 Local Council Executives and 60 Widows. Four sets of questionnaires were set for the respondents. The questionnaires guides included one; for the Widows, the Local Council and Sub-County Chiefs. The results of the study were analyzed in the order of the set four objectives. The findings were presented in frequency and percentages tables and then verbally described.

The study revealed that Widows continued experiencing challenges in relation to the policy guidelines and implementation of the protection of the right to land property of the Widows. The contributing factors included; low education, fear of causing conflicts with the paternal relatives, the tradition of marriage and the administration of justice.

The Study concluded that property rights of Widows in Wakiso District were not operational which has continued to undermine widows in the society. The study recommended that there should be capacity building, change of institutions and increased awareness of widow’s right to land property among the Widows and dissemination of information and legal sensitization of Widows on their rights.