Factors Associated with Land Ownership by Women in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aims: There is growing evidence concerning the significance of asset ownership by women. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, asset ownership is lower for women compared to men. This study investigated factors associated with land ownership by women in Uganda.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data was collected by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics from 20 June to 16 December 2016.

Methodology: The logistic regression model was fitted to determine factors significantly associated with land ownership.

Results: The likelihood of a woman owning land increased with an increase in her age and reduced with improvement in her household's wealth index. Furthermore, the likelihood of owning land was lowest for women; aged 18-19 years, residing in the Central region, residing in urban areas, of single status, with no account in a bank or other financial institution, in the richest wealth index category, and those currently not working.

Conclusion: There is a need to develop more effective strategies to empower women regarding land ownership and control. There is a need to sensitize women about their rights to land ownership, about saving with registered financial institutions which increases their likelihood of accessing alternative funding sources to support their purchase of land and other valuable assets.