LUWERO, Uganda — 80 Ugandan women have quietly orchestrated a land ownership revolution through a groundbreaking online savings initiative. Defying traditional barriers, these women, part of the Uganda Women in Trade and Manufacturing Association (UWTMA), have collectively amassed enough funds to purchase 12 acres of land, each now holding a coveted land title.
Operating largely under the radar with just one physical meeting since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the women pooled their daily savings, sometimes as little as 10,000 Ugandan shillings (about $2.65 USD), through online platforms. This seemingly small, consistent effort snowballed into a powerful financial force, enabling them to acquire the 180 million shillings needed to secure their land in Luwero.
Julian Nyabuhara, the driving force behind UWTMA, hailed the achievement as a direct challenge to the systemic exclusion women face in land ownership. “This project was born out of the pressing reality that many Ugandan women remain marginalized when it comes to owning land,” she declared at the title handover ceremony. She emphasized how the lack of land titles often traps women in a cycle of poverty, denying them access to crucial loans.
Breaking free from cultural norms that often deny women inheritance rights, these 80 individuals have demonstrated the potent power of unity and a shared vision. “What we are witnessing today is a big achievement,” Nyabuhara exclaimed. “It’s proof that with unity and a shared vision, small savings can lead to life-changing milestones.”
For women like Barbra Nuwagira, a mother of four who now holds titles to four plots, the initiative represents a tangible investment in her children’s future. “I joined the initiative in December 2022,” she shared, her voice filled with emotion. “As a mother of four, I managed to save enough to acquire four plots, one for each of my children. One of them dreams of becoming a farmer, and I wanted to support that vision.”
Fueled by voluntary dedication and strategic reinvestment of group savings account profits, UWTMA is now setting its sights even higher. With the first 80 land titles secured, the association aims to empower another 200 women in the next phase, with a long-term ambition of ensuring at least 500 women own land.
“Our goal is to ensure at least 40% of land in Uganda is owned by women,” Nyabuhara asserted. “Land is not just property, it’s power, security, and opportunity.” This quiet revolution, built on the collective strength of women and the power of digital connection, is rewriting the rules of land ownership in Uganda, one title at a time.