Kikuube District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Natumanya Flora, has hailed the Government of Uganda for what she described as a transformative moment for rural women, after presiding over the handover of more than 1,000 freehold land titles during celebrations marking International Women’s Day in Bugambe Sub-county.
Addressing jubilant residents at Ruguse Primary School, where the national celebration was held, Hon. Flora commended the government’s efforts in prioritizing land justice and social inclusion, particularly for women. She lauded the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, led by Hon. Judith Nabakooba, for responding swiftly to long-standing land disputes in the region.
“Minister Nabakooba has not only been accessible but truly dependable. Each time I reached out to her office regarding land disputes and registration issues in our district, she responded swiftly and decisively. Today is evidence of that commitment,” she said.
Some of the residents who received their land titles
The legislator emphasized that the land title handover was more than a symbolic gesture—it was a practical step toward economic liberation for women, who for generations had been locked out of land ownership structures due to cultural, legal, or financial barriers.
Hon. Flora also used the occasion to call on residents to actively engage in the government’s flagship wealth creation programs, including Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), stressing their potential to uplift communities from poverty to middle-income status.
“Let us not be spectators in our development. These programs are designed to empower you. Engage with them, embrace them, and together we will lift Kikuube to middle-income status,” she said passionately.
She concluded by thanking President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for what she termed “decisive leadership” and urged constituents to re-elect the NRM government in 2026 to consolidate the progress already achieved.
“It is only fair that we acknowledge and reward the leadership that is walking the talk. Come 2026, I urge you all to stand with President Museveni. Let us vote wisely and protect the gains we have made,” Hon. Flora added.
Her message was met with loud cheers and chants of “Museveni oyee!” as the crowd responded to her call with overwhelming enthusiasm.
Representing the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Minister Nabakooba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equitable land ownership, women’s rights, and rural transformation. The handover of 1,100 freehold titles—30.5% of which were registered to women—was a key highlight of the day.
“Today, we do not just celebrate women’s resilience and achievements, we also reaffirm our commitment to ensure that every Ugandan woman, especially in rural areas, enjoys equal access to opportunity, dignity and ownership,” Hon. Nabakooba said.
She urged beneficiaries to use the titles as collateral to access credit rather than sell the land, emphasizing long-term generational wealth. The Minister further revealed that over 26,000 parcels had been adjudicated in the district, with more titles still under processing.
Additionally, 101 land title applications from the Church of Uganda in Kikuube were approved, as part of a broader effort to reduce land disputes among institutions.
Min. Nabakooba and Hon. Phiona handing over titles
She encouraged residents to make use of the digitized Uganda National Land Information System (UGNLIS) for property verification and to seek land services from the Masindi Zonal Office rather than traveling to Kampala.
“As the government closes implementation of the current NRM manifesto, programs like PDM are key to transforming communities. Let’s work together to make them a success,” she added.
The day ended in celebration, with hundreds of women, cultural leaders, and government officials joining in a colorful ceremony marked by dance, testimonies, and renewed hope for gender equality in land ownership.
