A group of 80 women has acquired a 12-acre piece of land after saving shs10,000 each and raised shs180 million.
The women who are members of the Uganda Women in Trade and Manufacturing Association (UWTMA) marked a transformative chapter in their bid for economic empowerment and independence when on Saturday, each of them received their own land titles .
The woman behind the movement, Julian Nyabuhara said their mission is to dismantle deeply entrenched cultural and financial barriers that have historically kept women from owning land.
“This project was born out of the pressing reality that many Ugandan women remain marginalized when it comes to owning land,” Nyabuhara said during the handover ceremony.
“When women go to financial institutions seeking loans, they are often turned away because they lack collateral. And the collateral they ask for land with a title is something many women simply don’t have,” she added.
To tackle this systemic exclusion, UWTMA adopted a grassroots approach where women were encouraged to join savings groups, contributing as little as shs10,000 a day.
Over time, their collective power grew strong enough to purchase 12 acres of land in Luwero at a cost of shs180 million.
The land was subdivided into 80 plots, each now titled in a woman’s name.
Nyabuhara pointed to cultural norms as the root of the issue.
“A father tells his daughter she doesn’t own land, and when she marries, her husband says his land is for his children,” she explained.
But with unity and consistent saving, the women defied the odds. “What we are witnessing today is a big achievement. It’s proof that with unity and a shared vision, small savings can lead to life-changing milestones.”
Among the beneficiaries was Barbra Nuwagira, a mother of four with a vision for her children’s future.
“I joined the initiative in December 2022. 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,” she said.
The Luwero project, driven entirely by voluntary effort, was further strengthened by strategic reinvestment.
Profits from the association’s group savings account with UAP Unity Trust were redirected into land acquisition and title processing, significantly reducing the financial burden on members.
Key to the initiative’s operational success were Carolyn Namukhula and Diana Nambi, who worked closely with Nyabuhara to manage savings securely and scout for viable land, ensuring every step from selection to titling ran smoothly.
Looking ahead, UWTMA is scaling up. With 80 women already empowered, the second phase targets 200 more, and the long-term goal is clear: secure land ownership for at least 500 women.
“Our goal is to ensure at least 40% of land in Uganda is owned by women,” Nyabuhara declared. “Land is not just property, it’s power, security, and opportunity.”
The Luwero project is more than just land it’s a movement. A movement where women take back control of their economic futures, one plot at a time.
