Mbale Authorities Alarmed Over Gender Discrimination in Inheritance
Mbale Assistant RDC Henry Manana has urged greater awareness of women's property rights, citing a surge in land disputes reported to his office.
Authorities in Mbale have expressed concern over the widespread exclusion of daughters from inheritance, as families continue to favour male children in estate distribution.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Mbale District, Henry Manana, has urged greater awareness of women's property rights, citing a surge in land disputes reported to his office.
Manana said many families ignore legal procedures in the absence of a will, relying instead on traditional customs that prioritise sons.
He noted that a deep-seated belief persists that daughters' inheritance will ultimately benefit their husbands, reinforcing resistance to equitable distribution.
Even among educated individuals, the idea remains entrenched, while many women are unaware of their legal entitlements or fear backlash from their families.
Those who demand their rightful share often face hostility, escalating conflicts within households.
“In Masaba land, men are yet to appreciate that the girl child or the female children are equally entitled to the property of their parents, and it is a big social problem,” Manana said.
“Most of the cases involve educated people, like head teachers and social workers.”
Manana partly blamed clan heads for failing to curb the injustice, arguing that disputes that could be resolved within families or at local councils frequently escalate to court, straining relations further.
While wills are uncommon in the region, Uganda’s Administration of Estates Act grants both sons and daughters equal inheritance rights.
However, traditional norms often override legal provisions, perpetuating gender-based discrimination.
Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Peace Mutuuzo, recently called for urgent reform, stressing that the law protects daughters' inheritance rights.
“Women continue to face discrimination in inheritance matters, and this is unacceptable. We must work to change societal attitudes,” she said, urging local leaders to take a proactive role in resolving such disputes.
Despite existing legal frameworks, cultural resistance remains a formidable barrier.
Authorities hope that continued awareness campaigns and community engagement will help shift attitudes, ensuring fairer estate distribution in the future.
