Assessing the impact of Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification on Women Land Rights in Iganga District.

Abstract

Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) is a government-led initiative in Uganda designed to enhance land tenure security by formalizing land rights, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas of the country. This study assessed the impact of SLAAC on women's land rights in Bulamagi Subcounty, Iganga District, focusing on the different forms of land rights held by women, how SLAAC has improved women's access to and control over land, and the challenges faced in securing women's land rights under the program. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a case study with a cross-sectional survey. Data was collected through household surveys (n=114), key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a secondary data review. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and factor analysis were used for quantitative analysis, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. The findings revealed that women predominantly held proprietary and user/access rights, often acquired through inheritance. However, the influence of SLAAC on women's land access and control yielded mixed results. While the program modestly enhanced documentation and awareness of rights, it had a limited effect on improving women’s land use, decision-making, and ownership autonomy. The efficacy of SLAAC was significantly associated with (p = <0.001) women's educational attainment, with those possessing primary and secondary education more likely to perceive benefits. The study identified persistent challenges impeding women's land rights with a loading factor (>0.40), including land disputes, limited financial resources, corruption, cultural barriers, and inadequate land governance. Despite the program's positive aspects, respondents noted its insufficiency in fully addressing the specific needs of single, divorced, and non-widowed women in the program. The study recommends policy and programmatic interventions to promote gender equity in SLAAC implementation, enhance legal literacy, and address sociocultural barriers. Future research should explore the long-term effects of SLAAC on women's economic empowerment and the experiences of marginalised women in regions targeted by SLAAC.