School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS) Collections
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
1 - 5 of 134
-
ItemExamining women's land rights protection under customary system of administration in Uganda : a case of Koboko District(Makerere University, 2026)The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which customary administrative norms and practices protect women’s land rights in Koboko District. While customary land administrative norms and practices have been presented as feasible for protection of customary land rights, the rural women have continued to experience rampant violation of their customary land rights. To examine the extent to which such norms and practices protect women’s land rights, a qualitative research approach was adopted with a phenomenological feminist standpoint design. Twenty rural women were purposively selected as key informants. To corroborate the information from the key informants, four clan leaders and two district customary land officials were interviewed. Interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis methods were used to collect data. The study found out that; Customary land in Koboko is that which is called ―Menu‖ in Kakwa belonging to the clan and is named according to the founder grandfathers who later allocate it to their grown up sons following where their mothers cultivated in what is commonly referred to as ―Yobu na‖ (name of the mother); meaning the ―land of‖ (name of the mother). The study also found out that while land administrative practices of allocating land rights, registering such rights, communicating land rights information and setting up conflict resolution mechanisms would enhance protection of land rights, inadequate monitoring of women’s rights for normality, lack of guard against abuses, exclusion of women’s names from certificate of customary ownership, unpersuasive communication of women’s land rights information and the inability to identify and analyze threats have to a greater extent undermined protection of women’s land rights under the customary system of land administration. The voices of the rural women captured emphasize that until there are declarations and documentation of rights, formalized proactive acts of caring by protectors, forums to persuasively communicate women’s land rights and genuine acts of threat identification and appraisal during dispute resolution process by trained customary land administrators, protection of women’s land rights remains elusive. The study therefore recommends Ministry of Lands to deliberately train the customary land administrators in management of women’s land rights, support different tribal groups to codify their customary laws and vet such codified laws for their gender discrimination to guide women’s land rights allocation, information communication with clarity and adjudication of cases of abuse.
-
ItemGender and loan management in financial institutions: interrogating experiences of loan’s officers in Ugandan commercial banks(Makerere University, 2026)The study examined the gender influences in loan management practices in Ugandan commercial banks, focusing on the experiences of Loan Officers in the execution of credit-related functions. This study interrogated gendered dynamics manifest in loan decision-making, risk assessment, client interactions, and recovery strategies among Loan Officers in commercial banks. The research was guided by Gendered Organization Theory (Acker, 1990) and Social Role Theory (Eagly & Wood, 1991), which explain how institutional structures and social expectations reproduce gender inequalities in professional settings. A qualitative research approach was adopted within a cross-sectional design, using in-depth interviews and key informant interviews to gather primary data. The study was conducted in Kampala City, involving twenty participants purposively selected from two commercial banks United Bank for Africa (UBA), representing an international bank, and Finance Trust Bank, representing a local financial institution. Data were analyzed thematically in alignment with the study’s objectives. Findings revealed significant gender-based variations in the loan management process. Female Loan Officers exhibited more methodical and cautious approaches to credit evaluation and risk assessment, resulting in lower default rates but fewer loan disbursements. Male Loan Officers, conversely, prioritized efficiency and speed, achieving higher lending volumes but also higher portfolio risk. Gender also influenced client interactions where female officers faced authority challenges, particularly when dealing with male clients, but were more effective in building trust and relational engagement with female borrowers. Institutional practices and cultural norms reinforced these disparities, as women experienced skepticism regarding their competence, stricter performance expectations, and limited upward mobility. Moreover, systemic biases in collateral requirements and loan approval processes disadvantaged female borrowers, reflecting broader gendered assumptions about financial competence and risk tolerance. The study concludes that gender profoundly shapes both the professional experiences of Loan Officers and the overall dynamics of loan management in Ugandan commercial banks. Institutional cultures, embedded stereotypes, and performance metrics collectively sustain gendered inequalities in lending and credit recovery. In view of the findings, there is need for financial institutions to adopt gender-sensitive training, integrate bias monitoring frameworks in credit assessment, and promote leadership diversity to foster inclusivity and equitable treatment in loan management. Additionally, the study calls for policy reforms by the Bank of Uganda and Uganda Bankers’ Association to mainstream gender in financial sector governance and performance appraisal systems.
-
ItemThe effects of farmers’ access to, utilization and repayment of agricultural credit on household gender relations: a case of Luwero and Nakasongola Districts, Central Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)The study investigated how farmers’ access to, utilization, and repayment of agricultural credit from VEDCO affected household gender relations in Luwero and Nakasongola districts, Central Uganda. Using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and the Bargaining Model, it employed a mixed-methods approach with surveys containing both open-ended and closed-ended questions. The research pursued three objectives: identifying gender-specific challenges and opportunities in accessing, utilizing, and repaying agricultural loans; evaluating the agricultural loans’ influence on household gender relations; and exploring alternative repayment strategies employed by male and female farmers. Findings showed that both men and women experienced few difficulties in accessing, utilizing, and repaying VEDCO loans, primarily because agricultural loans were channeled through well-established farmer groups with flexible terms. Comprehensive training in financial management, provision of tractor loans, and gender sensitization workshops further eased access, utilization, and successful repayment of agricultural loans for both genders. Loan access markedly improved gender relations within households. Couples increasingly made decisions jointly, which reduced domestic violence and enhanced marital harmony. Many husbands shared domestic tasks and transferred income-generating assets such as dairy cows and banana plantations to their wives, while wives contributed more to school fees and household expenses. Widows and separated women gained notable economic independence, enabling them to cover daily needs and children’s education. Gender differences persisted in repayment strategies, with men drawing on larger asset bases for diversification and women adopting low-cost innovations due to limited resources. Strong networks connecting farmers, households, communities, NGOs, and government programs reinforced equitable environments through collective initiatives. Despite these gains, ongoing disparities in land ownership, asset control, market access, and women’s time poverty underscore the need for continued targeted interventions. The study concludes that well-designed agricultural credit, delivered through organized farmers’ groups and supported by training and sensitization, holds strong potential to advance gender equity, provided structural inequalities are systematically addressed. Recommendations advocate enhancing gender-responsive credit mechanisms, promoting intra-household equity via workshops, diversifying livelihoods for repayment resilience, integrating theoretical frameworks into policies, advancing mixed-methods research, and enacting urgent reforms for gender-inclusive financing.
-
ItemRising against the tide : interrogating experiences of women executives in Commercial Banks, Kampala City, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)The banking sector in Uganda is pivotal to the economy but faces challenges regarding women's advancement to top leadership roles. Despite their significant contributions, women hold few leadership positions in Ugandan banks, an area that has been under-researched in developing economies. This study explored women's employability in the banking sector, identifying barriers to their progress informed by the liberal feminist theory and the glass ceiling concept. It examines management perceptions, notable cases of women overcoming obstacles, and strategies to mitigate these barriers. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, the research employed semi-structured interviews with fourteen participants (Nine women and five men), who included board chairpersons, managing directors, and human resource professionals from seven banks. Findings indicate that while progress has been made, an increasing women’s participation in leadership is still limited by systemic barriers such as gender bias, societal stereotypes, implicit biases, and work-life balance issues. Challenges remain. The study underscored the need for banks to foster supportive and inclusive environments by adopting family-friendly policies, mentorship initiatives, and continuous professional development. Addressing work-life balance integration and creating clear career pathways are also critical for empowering women in executive leadership positions. Ultimately, a concerted effort by individuals, organizations, lawmakers, policy makers, regulators, and the government is required to dismantle barriers and promote gender diverse leadership in Uganda’s banking sector.
-
ItemThe effectiveness of the existing legal and policy frame works in addressing gender-based violence concerns among women in Kawala, Rubaga Division, Kampala District(Makerere University, 2025)Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a widespread violation of human rights that affects millions of women and girls globally (Duncan, 2022). It encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse directed at individuals based on their gender. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence. GBV undermining health, safety, and equality, impeding progress towards global development (Organization, 2021). International development frameworks have recognized the urgency of addressing GBV. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG 3) sought to promote gender equality and empower women, while Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) specifically targets the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. These frameworks emphasize the need forstrong legal mechanisms and systemic interventions to address GBV (Equality et al., 2017). GBV has severe consequences for women’s health, economic well-being, and participation in society, and remains a significant barrier to gender equality, particularly in developing countries such as Uganda (Okpokwasili, 2024). . Globally, in 2023, an average of 140 women and girls were killed each day by intimate partners or family members around 51,100 deaths compared to 48,800 in 2022. Most of these killings occurred in the home (UN Women 2022) Studies further found out that around 30–35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and or sexual intimate partner violence, or non-partner sexual violence, in their lifetime specifically, 27% of women aged 15–49 have endured intimate partner violence (Sardinha et al., 2022). However, The effectiveness of legal frameworks against GBV is limited due to enforcement gaps, cultural resistance, and institutional weaknesses for instance as of 2023, only 52 countries explicitly criminalized marital rape (World bank 2023; Davis & Johnstonbaugh, 2024).