Despite Uganda’s progressive Constitution and land policies guaranteeing equal land rights for all citizens, Muslim women continue to face barriers in accessing, owning, and controlling land. These challenges are driven by a combination of patriarchal social norms, cultural practices, and misinterpretations of Islamic (Sharia) law. While Islamic teachings clearly support women’s rights to inherit and own property, these principles are often overshadowed by customary norms that marginalize women’s legal and religious entitlements.

On 24th June 2025, we held a powerful roundtable dialogue at Hotel Africana, bringing together Muslim scholars, legal experts, and community leaders to discuss women’s land rights in Islam and Ugandan law.

Muslim scholars affirmed that Sharia is clear that women have the right to own land and property. The Constitution of Uganda also guarantees equal land rights for both men and women. With women contributing over 70% to agricultural production, they deserve equal access, ownership, and control over land.

This dialogue results set the basis for informed recommendations and solutions around women’s access to land and the dialogue was conducted through a partnership between Twahirah Islamic Charity Organization (TICO) and Uganda Community Based Association for Women and Children Welfare (UCOBAC) under the Stand for Her Land Campaign.

An issue brief with recommendations from scholars, Sharia and the Constitution of Uganda to have permanent solutions for women’s lack of access to land and equal rights to property ownership was drafted and it is a tool currently used to make informed decisions.