economy 13 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Cultural Barriers Hamper Women's Economic Progress in Uganda
State Minister for Culture, Ms. Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, has highlighted deep-rooted cultural norms as significant obstacles preventing women's economic empowerment in Uganda, particularly concerning land ownership and inheritance. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/structural-barriers-hindering-women-s-economic-empowerment-5556828
Cultural practices that restrict women’s ability to own and inherit land are significantly hindering their economic empowerment, according to Ms. Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, the State Minister for Culture in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Women Economic Empowerment for Green Transformation Project (WEEG-UWEP), she emphasized that these norms leave a large segment of the population unable to make substantial investments or expand their businesses.
Ms. Kuteesa explained that the lack of secure land rights deters women from investing in long-term projects. They often fear losing their investments due to relationship breakdowns or land repossession by owners. This issue extends to agricultural activities, where women may be prevented from cultivating on land considered male property, or have their produce claimed by husbands.
The problem is also prevalent within families, where cultural traditions often disinherit daughters, asserting that land belongs exclusively to male clan members. This limitation, Minister Kuteesa noted, restricts women’s ability to engage in land-based economic activities, even when government programs like WEEG-UWEP provide crucial funding for formal enterprises.
Beyond land, the minister pointed out underrepresentation in other sectors. She cited the church as an example, where women constitute the majority of congregants but hold a disproportionately small number of leadership and employment positions.
Beneficiaries of the WEEG-UWEP program shared success stories, illustrating how grants have helped them transition from informal village activities to registered businesses. However, challenges persist, with some groups appealing for further government assistance, particularly in acquiring necessary machinery to scale their operations.
In response, Mr. Bernard Mujuni, Commissioner for Equity and Rights, stated that the government is working to connect women entrepreneurs to larger initiatives like the GROW project, aiming to boost their confidence and investment capacity. The UWEP project itself has supported over 600 women’s groups in sectors such as sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.