One Day: Families in Uganda live peacefully on their land

At 8 years’ old, Patricia featured on the 2019 Trócaire Box as part of our campaign focusing on land grabs. In 2019, Patricia’s family were at risk of losing their home, simply because Patricia’s mother, Evelyn, was a woman.

Around the world, millions of women like Evelyn are denied their rights to their land and they struggle to provide for their families as a result.

In Uganda, it can be difficult for a woman to continue to own her land following the death of a husband. This is what happened to Evelyn, when she tragically lost her husband. After his death, a violent land dispute happened between her and the family of her late husband.

With her husband’s relatives seizing control of her land, Evelyn was soon left with only a quarter acre of land which was not enough to feed her children.

“I was stranded and did not know where to start from”

In 2019, Trócaire and local partner ARLPI supported Evelyn’s case to fight for the right to her land. It wasn’t easy in a country with very traditional attitudes and traditions around women owning land, but ultimately the project was a success. As a result, six acres of land were returned to Evelyn in 2020.

Delighted with this successful outcome, Evelyn says: “I am happy because the land was returned to me and I know myself and my children will use it to grow food.”

“Before Trócaire and ARLPI, I was stranded and did not know where to start from. I felt comforted and energised to start fighting for my land.”

Evelyn was also supported to develop a small business to help her provide an income for her family. A small shelter has been constructed to house two cows and enough milk is produced for both her family, and to sell for money to buy necessities like soap and salt.