This June, as part of the Women’s Spaces project, Shelter and Settlement Alternatives (SSA) Uganda hosted a week-long learning exchange in Kampala and surrounding areas, bringing together partners from the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) of South Africa and the Inner City Federation (ICF) of Johannesburg. The exchange was focused on how law, policy, and community action intersect in both countries and what partners can learn from one another to advance land and housing rights for women. 

The Ugandan team shared powerful skits reflecting how land and housing challenges affect everyday lives—and the role of paralegals in supporting those navigating difficult situations. These moments helped ground discussions in lived realities and were deeply appreciated by visiting partners. 

Interactive workshops allowed paralegals and stakeholders to compare legal frameworks in Uganda and South Africa. These conversations highlighted both similarities and important differences. In Uganda, partners reflected on how women in cohabiting relationships can be vulnerable to losing their property after separation or the death of a partner because these relationships are not legally recognized. In South Africa, cohabitation agreements can offer some legal protection, prompting discussion on how different legal tools can help safeguard women’s property and housing rights.  

Participants also explored how land ownership laws shape housing security. In Uganda, restrictions on foreign ownership of leasehold land were compared with South Africa’s system of perpetual ownership rights, leading to questions about land access, urban development, and displacement pressures in cities like Cape Town. These comparisons led participants to reflect on the different advocacy and legal tools available in their own contexts and how they can be used to strengthen housing rights.  

This peer exchange went beyond knowledge sharing; it strengthened relationships and built solidarity among partners working in different contexts but facing shared challenges. It reinforced the value of cross-border learning—showing that while legal systems may differ, the goal of ensuring safe, secure, dignified housing is shared. The ideas and insights exchanged will continue to shape community action and advocacy efforts in both Uganda and South Africa.