In Kotido, where tradition is law and a woman’s worth is often measured in cattle, a quiet rebellion is taking root. Armed not with protest signs but with savings books and solidarity, women are transforming local VSLAs into engines of resistance—challenging widow inheritance, demanding land rights, and exposing the cracks in government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
What began as a way to pool coins for goats and seeds has become a movement—one that is rewriting the rules of power, property, and womanhood in Uganda’s most patriarchal frontier.
In Karamoja, widow inheritance remains a deeply rooted tradition. When a man dies, his widow is often “inherited” by a male relative—sometimes even a son from another wife. The rationale? Her dowry was paid, and she must remain within the clan.
But for women like Angella Maria, the practice has been a cycle of grief and powerlessness. “My husband paid 30 head of cattle as dowry. When he died, I was inherited by his brother. When he died, I was passed to another. I had no choice,” she says.
Lotyang Agnes Lokiru, another widow, was also inherited against her will. “The man was not my choice, but I couldn’t refuse. The elders wouldn’t listen because their minds are on cattle.”
Now, through SACCOs, these women are organizing—not just to save, but to speak.
VSLAs as Advocacy Hubs
Kalokuruk VSLA, headed by Lokwang Peter, was originally formed to help women pool savings and access small loans. The VSLA is one among many in Kotido evolving into forums for resistance and reform. In weekly meetings, women share stories, educate one another about their legal rights, and organize campaigns to challenge harmful norms.
“We started saving to buy goats and seeds,” says Lokwang. “But we realized we could also use our meetings to talk about women’s pain—and their power.”
Through their VSLA, Lokwang and others have formed a women’s network forum—a bold move in a culture where women are barred from entering the sacred clan shrine where marriage decisions are made. They now use the wives of male elders to relay their concerns into the shrine. “We must hold the decision-makers accountable,” Lokwang says. “We are creating a safe space for girls and women to thrive.”
Tradition Meets Resistance
Not everyone welcomes the change. Kapeps Akore John Bosco, an elder in Kotido, defends widow inheritance as a cultural safeguard. “A man who enters the house of a widow before inheritance rituals may fall sick,” he warns. “The inheritor must be chosen from within the family.”
However, even Kapeps admits that some practices—like sons inheriting their stepmothers—are inappropriate and under review.
Meanwhile, VSLAs—especially those led by women—are stepping in to fill the gap. They are:
– Teaching financial literacy and business planning
– Monitoring how PDM funds are used
– Supporting widows and vulnerable women to access government programs
– Advocating for transparency and accountability in fund disbursement
“We are not just saving money,” says Koryang. “We are saving each other—and saving the system from failure.”
The Ugandan government and development partners are increasingly supporting women’s efforts to challenge oppressive norms and improve service delivery. Through initiatives like the GROW Project and PDM, women-led VSLAs are gaining access to credit, training, and leadership opportunities.
Charles Ichogor, the Resident District Commissioner of Kotido, sees a shift in power. “Women are now able to challenge decisions made without their input,” he says. “They’ve long suffered under oppressive cultural norms with little intervention.”
Real Impact, Real Change
The advocacy emerging from VSLAs is already making waves:
– Dozens of widows have refused forced inheritance with the backing of their VSLAs
– Women leaders are now sitting on parish-level PDM committees
– Legal awareness is spreading through peer education and community dialogues
Despite the progress, challenges remain:
– Cultural resistance from elders
– Limited access to legal aid and documentation
– Inadequate infrastructure for VSLA operations
– Weak monitoring of government programs
Still, the women of Kotido remain undeterred. “We are not waiting for change,” says Lochoro. “We are becoming the change.”
A New Chapter for Kotido
What’s happening in Kotido is more than a local story—it’s a blueprint for rural empowerment across Uganda. By transforming VSLAs into platforms for advocacy, women are proving that economic inclusion and social justice go hand in hand.
As Uganda pushes forward with national development programs, the voices of Kotido’s women—once silenced—are now shaping the future.
