Land Conflicts and Women's Social Economic Wellbeing in Western Division, Tororo District, Uganda

ABSTRACT

The study was about the effect of land conflict on women's social-economic wellbeing in Tororo. the study objectives were: to examine the causes of land conflicts in Tororo, to establish the [effects of land conflicts on the income levels of women in Tororo District, to analyze the social effects of land conflicts on women in Tororo District. The researcher used an analytical design; it will analyze the elements of the data that was collected in relation to gender perspective to 'Omen's rights to land. The study covered I 00 respondents from the selected population. The :study revealed that primary data collected for the study at the grassroots level in selected areas 1dicates that land conflicts are on the increase and the most affected category is that of women;especially in the rural areas. With the transformations in land tenure systems throughout the land egan to change as well. The current Ugandan lands tenure system us two-fold, consisting of ustomary and statutory land tenure systems. The fundamental contradiction between popular onceptions and state practices is at the root of any land disputes today. Ugandans familiar with tatutory laws and the court systems and with economic means may exploit the current situation J take land away from someone with a customary or traditional claim to land. Women are articularly vulnerable in this situation especially when they do not have a legal (civil) marriage J protect her rights. Custom plays a major role in determining land claims today in rural Jganda. Among rural respondents, both men and women held a strong conviction that the family md and property belong to the head of the family who is often a man, but in certain ircumstances it can be woman. This is a significant shift from prior ideas that land belonged to he lineage and was controlled by the lineage chief. The land is considered to be family property and; used by either men or women in the best interests of the family. In an ideal situation, decisions bout land are made through mutual understanding between husband and wife. Yet, many male and female respondents declared that a woman could never be equal to a man in terms of Xl 1owing how to best manage family resources. The centrality of land to economic development 1d the social welfare is unquestionable, especially for the women. The land has been used traditionally> to promote the socio-economic development of women; more so that they live and earn their living from tilling the land. The causes of land conflicts/disputes in Tororo range from lack of lear land boundaries, corruption of the authorities, and false claims, especially by the relatives of the deceased. These and many more as discussed in chapter four have had serious consequences on 1e socio-economic aspects of women in Tororo District. Communities should be sensitized bout land policies, especially women. Government should facilitate the land committees at bounties and they should be trained to be equipped with skills in conflict resolution and handling. Government should encourage and support the surveying process of land. This will help boundary settlement and knowing the right owner of a particular piece of land. The current survey process is so complicated that a person in a rural area cannot manage the bureaucratic steps wolved in securing land titles.