Land tenure systems and their impact on food security in Mbale, Bukedea, and Luwero Districts, Uganda

Food insecurity remains a major challenge in Uganda, partly driven by insecure land tenure and low agricultural investment. Evidence on how tenure arrangements and land use shape household food security is limited. This study examined the impact of land tenure systems on food security in Mbale, Bukedea, and Luwero districts, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of 398 households was conducted in Mbale, Bukedea, and Luwero districts. Data on land tenure, acquisition, irrigation, pest outbreaks, and food security were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of food security. Analyses were conducted in Stata 18. Overall, 60.3% of households were food secure. Access to sufficient land (AOR = 22.08; 95% CI: 6.25-77.97), inherited land (AOR = 6.62; 95% CI: 1.12-39.18), and newly acquired land (AOR = 4.99; 95% CI: 1.14-21.85) were associated with higher odds of food security. Irrigation access (AOR = 27.39; 95% CI: 2.52-297.55) and technology adoption (AOR = 14.71; 95% CI: 1.37-158.23) also showed strong positive associations, while pest and disease outbreaks markedly reduced food security (AOR = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.00-0.11). Female-headed households constituted only 10.6% of landowners. Secure land tenure, irrigation access, and technology adoption are critical enablers of food security. Enhancing women’s land rights and addressing gender disparities in ownership are equally vital for building household resilience and improving food outcomes.