The impact of governance on personal security in Uganda from 2015 to 2021 : a case of Jinja District

Abstract

This study explored the impact of governance on personal security in Uganda using the case of Jinja District. There was a belief that a relationship exists between good governance and personal security. The relationship was based on the theory that personal security of persons in a given state is dependent on the quality of governance in that state. It was based on the belief that the state has responsibility to protect all her citizens from personal insecurities regardless of the type of governance. This study was aimed at examining the existence or nonexistence of this link using the Ugandan situation. The study focused on the residents of Jinja district who had lived in the area for at least two years. The study was guided by the following objectives (1) to establish the major personal security threats faced by the residents of Jinja District; (2) to measure the level of knowledge of good governance and personal security in Jinja district; (3) to establish the main challenges that government face towards the realization of personal security in Jinja District; and (4) to explore more sustainable solutions to improve governance and realize personal security in Jinja District. The researcher gathered data from female and male residents of three sub-counties of Jinja Municipality. The methodology used in this study was mixed method approach. For quantitative study, the researcher used semi structured questionnaires. Qualitative data was collected using Focused Group discussions and key informant interviews. Key informants were selected from leaders and authorities from the district, sub counties, and villages comprising of civil servants, politicians, security personnel, religious leaders, civil society organizations and local leaders such as LCs, cell and block leaders. The quantitative data was analysed using excel and SPSS, Correlations, regression and associations were obtained via multivariate analysis. Qualitative data was manually sorted, coded and grouped in themes to compliment quantitative data. This research found a relationship between governance and personal security. The study specifically found that areas with effective governance (such as central business area) were more secure than places with less effective governance such as the outskirts of the town. Effective governance was manifested by the level of coordination between the various actors, the availability of governance structures such as police posts, PISO, and block or cell leaders. It also had a certain level of infrastructural development such as roads, streets, streetlights, and security cameras. Areas with weak governance arrangements had high prevalence of personal insecurity. The study concludes that ineffective governance is highly linked with high personal insecurities resulting from absence of certain conditions, infrastructures and mechanisms which discourage perpetration of physical violence.