Bachelor of Governance and International Relations

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The contributions of the East African Community integration to good governance in Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-13) Gabriel Nyirinka
This research aimed at evaluating the influence of EAC integration on good governance in Uganda over the decade (2016-2026) which is the period of greatest enlargement of the Community and the implementation of the Seventh EAC Development Strategy (2026/27- 2030/31). Secondary data collected from East African Court of Justice (EACJ) jurisprudence, institutional and governance documents, peer-reviewed articles and EAC Treaty documents was analysed and a qualitative, desk-based, single‑ case study approach was adopted. Thematic analysis of the data was carried out by Braun and Clarke's 6-phase approach, while the main theory used was intergovernmentalism. The findings show that there has been a real though limited improvement at governance level in Uganda as a result of the integration of EAC but significant work remains. The most visible effects can be seen in the two fields above: Rule of law discourse, with the decisions of the EACJ having provided some normative concepts that are being used in the advocacy of law domestically; and Economic governance transparency, with the implementation of the Common Market Protocol, leading to incremental gains in customs and investment facilitation. There is limited institutional capacity built in Uganda's Inspectorate of Government as a result of regional cooperation on anti‑ corruption. In 2025 however, Uganda's ranking on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) dropped from 26 to 25 out of 100, indicating that there have been no structural governance changes at the EAC level. This limited impact can be attributed to five inter-related problems of sovereignty sensitivities that result in the selective domestication of regional norms, insufficient institutional capacity and resources, governance heterogeneity brought by the rapid enlargement of EAC, weak enforcement mechanisms and Uganda's domestic political economy underpinned by executive dominance and patronage networks. The study finds that the Ugandan state is intergovernmental and this is a good explanatory factor for the selective compliance. It suggests a gradual path towards governance compliance in the EAC, the development of a national domestication agenda for governance frameworks and better civil society and development partner engagement with governance aspects of the Seventh Development Strategy.
The widening versus deepening dilemma in regional integration: an analysis of the East African Community’s expansion from five to eight members (2016-2024)
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-25) Sonia Munyana
Regional integration has been a long-admired strategy for promoting neighborhood states 'economic growth, political stability and social cohesion. The EAC was initially formed from five countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi but was later expanded to incorporate South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. The aim of this study was to examine the dilemma of widening versus deepening in regional integration in light of the expansion of the East African Community from the original five to eight member countries (2016-2024). This study used a qualitative descriptive case study design that is further supplemented by process tracing. The data used in the study was secondary data that analyzed thematically. The study revealed that the intra-EAC share of trade reduced from 20 percent in 2016 to 15 per cent in 2023, the rate of harmonization legal instruments dropped from four to two per year, and the Monetary Union protocol had seven missed deadlines. Through document analysis it was found that there was a significant difference in the perspectives of political leaders and technical stakeholders. EAC technocrats, private sector and civil society, continuously voiced their doubts and non-compliance on a lack of institutional capacity to scale up. The study found that the number of EAC Court cases rose by almost 4 times, adherence to Court decisions dropped to 54%, and newer members were imposing disproportionate non-tariff barriers and budget arrears grew by $47 million.
Effects of gender stereotyping on student academic performance in secondary schools: a case study in Akere and Apac district in Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-13) Merkel Preta Akoth
The problem of gender stereotyping has been experienced and remains persistent in education, whereby gender stereotypes tend to impact negatively on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Uganda. In Akere Division in Apac District, there are many instances where due to cultural beliefs of that society, children are subjected to gender stereotyping, for example, boys are pushed towards educational attainment and leadership, while girls are steered towards homemaking. The current research seeks to establish the impacts of gender stereotyping on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Akere Division, Apac District. Gender Stereotyping Theory and Feminism Theory/Social Constructivism Theory will guide the study because they address issues about the creation of gender stereotyping within societies. The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design in the analysis, which involved a mixedmethod approach. Students, teachers, head teachers, and PTA members were used as respondents for data collection using questionnaires and interviews. From the findings, gender stereotyping persists in secondary schools. Gender stereotyping manifests itself through biased choice of subjects, unequal participation in class discussions, and inadequate chances to lead among females. From the study, gender stereotyping impacts negatively on the academic performance of learners. Gender stereotyping impacts negatively on the academic performance of learners through lack of self-confidence, inadequate participation in learning activities, and subject preferences. The study makes recommendations such as adopting gender-sensitive teaching approaches, encouraging equal participation in all subjects, improving career guidance, and raising community awareness regarding gender issues in education.
The African union’s efforts in addressing the Civil War in Sudan (2023– present): a case study of El fasher in the Darfur region
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-13) Isaac Aaron Erereng
This dissertation explores how the African Union institutionally reacted to the conflict, particularly in El Fasher between April 2023 and February 2026. The study is guided by five interrelated research questions: to explore the mechanisms of the peace and security of the AU and how they were employed in El Fasher; to evaluate the effectiveness of the institution of the four dimensions of operations, ceasefire compliance, civilian protection, humanitarian access and accountability; to determine the role of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights as an accountability institution; and suggest practical steps to enhance the capacity of the institution to manage conflicts and build peace. The research is a single case study (qualitative) based on the methodological approach of Creswell and Poth (2018). Only secondary sources such as official documents of the UN and the Peace and Security Council, ACHPR documents, scholarly literature were used as sources of data. Bowen (2009) protocol of document analysis was used to provide a systematic and consistent extraction of data in all sources. The results indicate that there is an enduring and causal disconnect between the normative commitments and operational capacities of the AU. Several institutional mechanisms initiated by the African Peace and Security Architecture, an AU Roadmap to Sudan, a High-Level Panel formed in early 2024 and a May 2024 PSC mandate authorizing the ACHPR to investigate atrocities in El Fasher were all activated by the AU, however none of this could stop the siege or the eventual fall of the city. The dissertation suggests complete operationalization of the African Standby Force, integration of the disjointed Sudan policy of the African Union, a regional conference to discuss the issue of external interference, structural reform of the ACHPR and strategic exploitation of the comparative political advantage of the African Union with Khartoum to gain entry to humanitarian access. These suggestions are directly based on the evidence presented at El Fasher, and not based on generic prescription of the institution, and presented as a contribution to the academic and policy discussion around the changing role of the AU in peace and security in Africa.
The effect of women leadership on local governance performance in Uganda: a case of Mukono District Local government
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-13) Miriam Ainembabazi
The study examined the effect of women leadership on local governance performance in Uganda; a case of Mukono District Local Government (MDLG). In this regard, the study focused on the following: establishing the effect of women leadership styles on citizen participation in government programmes, assessing the effect of women representation on service delivery in local government programmes, and examining the effect of women leadership on accountability in local government programmes in MDLG. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research approach. Moreover, both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted. Furthermore, simple random and purposive sampling methods were used. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 80 lower-level employees from the departments in MDLG. More so, interviews were used to collect data from the key informants who are the heads of departments in MDLG. Results showed that women's leadership has a great positive impact on local governance performance in the Mukono District Local Government through increased citizen participation, effective service delivery, and accountability. Women's leadership was seen to foster inclusiveness, openness, effective communication, responsiveness, ethics, and teamwork, thus increasing citizen participation, quality of public service delivery, and accountability. The results further indicated that issues such as culture, scarcity of resources, and political influence can be a hindrance to women's leadership and, therefore, local governance performance. Finally, recommendations for improving women leadership included; increasing equality in leadership positions, building the capacity of leadership institutions, instituting practices of participatory leadership, improving administrative support for leadership, and strengthening accountability measures. Such recommendations are vital in ensuring good local governance practices in the district through improved citizen involvement, better service delivery, increased transparency and integrity in the government, and improved local governance performance.
Assessing the role of international organisations towards the development of the third world countries: a case study of UNDP in Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-09) Becky Balyesiima Atwooki
The study examines how international organizations, especially the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have contributed to socio-economic development in Uganda. The study will highlight how governance reforms, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability initiatives spearheaded by the UNDP have contributed to socio-economic development in Uganda. The study will employ a mixed research approach, combining numerical and real-life experiences. The study will be conducted by administering a survey to 57 participants, including government officials, UNDP officials, and locals in Uganda. The study will reveal how governance reforms have contributed to transparency and accountability in Uganda’s public sector. The study will also reveal how poverty alleviation initiatives have contributed to poverty reduction in Uganda’s rural areas. The study will reveal how the UNDP’s initiatives in environmental sustainability have contributed to climate change mitigation and renewable energy expansion. However, the study will highlight how funding and political instability have remained impediments to socio-economic development in Uganda. The study will conclude by emphasizing the need for international cooperation and locals to promote socio-economic development in Uganda. The study will be important in its contribution to knowledge on how international organizations can support socio-economic development in poor nations, taking into account Uganda’s social, political, and economic factors.
Elections and Democratic Governance in Uganda: An Assessment of the Impact of the 2021 General Elections on Uganda Democratic Governance
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-07) Shanice Irene kembabazi
This study examined the relationship between elections and democratic governance in Uganda, with a specific focus on assessing the impact of the 2021 Uganda General Elections on democratic governance. The objectives of the study were; to identify the forms and patterns of electoral violence experienced during the 2021 elections, to analyze the key drivers of electoral violence during the 2021 elections and to assess the role of political actors, security agencies, and institutions in either escalating or mitigating electoral violence. The study used descriptive cross-sectional design and quantitative approach was adopted. The study employed a qualitative epistemology and a phenomenological design, and 10 documents were reviewed in connection to the study problem. Data was analyzed using document review analysis. The study result indicated that physical violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions particularly targeting opposition politicians, their supporters, and political activists, voter intimidation and systematic disruption of opposition campaign activities were the forms and patterns of electoral violence experienced during the 2021 elections. The study also showed that political competition and struggle for power, state repression and use of security forces, weak electoral institutions and lack of trust, youth unemployment and social discontent, and poor voter education and misinformation as the major cause of electoral violence in 2021 general elections in Uganda. The study finding further indicated that the security agencies, including the police and military, are critical in managing electoral processes and maintaining public order. The study concluded that; electoral violence is driven by institutional weaknesses and deliberate political actions, is driven by a complex interaction of political, institutional, and socio-economic factors, with intense political competition at its core and is significantly shaped by the actions and interactions of key institutional and political actors, particularly political elites, security agencies, and electoral institutions. The study recommends that; promoting rule of law and due process, strengthening voter protection and electoral management bodies, addressing high rate of youth unemployment and promoting responsible political leadership will help to reduce on the electoral violence
Ethnic politics and the persistence of armed conflict
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-11) Simon Arike
This research explores the role ethnic politics has played in sustaining armed conflict in South Sudan from 2013-2025, focusing at the sub-national level on Jonglei State. Notwithstanding multiple peace agreements, most significantly the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS, 2015) and the Revitalized ARCSS (R-ARCSS, 2018), armed conflict has persisted in Jonglei with the United Nations estimating 280,000 internally displaced persons in the state as of early 2026. This research finds that the ongoing violence is not a failure of diplomacy or the result of "primordial" ethnic hatreds between the Dinka, Nuer and Murle peoples, but rather a systematic consequence of ethnic politics: the strategic mobilisation of ethnic identity by national, regional and local political elites to gain and consolidate power, hinder implementation of peace agreements and sustain the formation of armed groups. Using a constructivist-instrumentalist approach, complemented by the ethnic security dilemma and critical liberal peacebuilding, the study undertakes a qualitative secondary analysis of peer-reviewed literature, institutional and policy documents. The analysis is organised around three research objectives: to analyse the political mobilisation of ethnic identity in Jonglei; to analyse the effects of ethnic politics on armed group formation; and to analyse the effects of ethnic politics on the implementation of peace agreements and national reconciliation. The research findings show that ethnic identities in Jonglei are socially constructed and instrumentalised, rather than primordial; that armed groups are politically structured formations, enabled by ethnic recruitment, patronage and the social reproduction of masculinities, and sustained by the absence of institutions; and that peace agreement failures are largely explained by elite-controlled fragmentation - the deliberate maintenance of ethnic division and institutional weakness by ruling elites who profit from conflict. The study points to five key gaps in the literature, including the failure to consider sub-national processes in Jonglei; the under-representation of the Murle community in scholarly and policy debate; and the under-theorisation of community-level dynamics of peace agreement failure. The study offers key recommendations for peace practitioners, the Government of South Sudan, and researchers, which include refocusing peace architecture on sub-national conflict transformation, reforming Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) policy to account for cultural dynamics of armed group membership, operationalising transitional justice mechanisms, and investing in long-term community-led reconciliation processes, such as the 1999 Wunlit Conference.Keywords: Ethnic politics, armed conflict, Jonglei State, South Sudan, constructivism, instrumentalism, security dilemma, peace agreements, R-ARCSS, ethnic mobilisation, Dinka, Nuer, Murle.
Effeects of regional armed conflict on the international humanitarian services (The case study of South Sudan)
(NAKIMBUGWE VICTORIA, 2026-05-11) Victoria Nakimbugwe
Following the outbreak of a violent civil war in 2013, South Sudan has become one of the world's most dangerous places for humanitarian aid workers. In this study, we assess the dramatic effects of regional armed conflict on the effectiveness of international humanitarian assistance, exploring how violence, politics and bureaucratic battles affect the lives of more than 2.7 million refugees and internally displaced people. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study leverages quantitative methods to understand secondary data on incidents, complemented by qualitative data from 40 semi-structured interviews with humanitarian workers, government actors, and civilians. The analysis shows a strong negative association (r = -0.78) between intensity of conflict and delivery of services. Even amid physical infrastructure and medically targeted violence, the study reveals a "performance of care" in which short, poorly budgeted visits are used to meet donor reporting obligations, but do not treat the underlying causes of vulnerability. At the heart of the study is the finding that access is not simply defined by violence but is highly politicized. Whilst high-intensity violence leads to direct military bans, complexity and "post-conflict" sees "bureaucratic warfare" and state actors strategically using administrative control and xiii taxation to exert power and extort resources. Moreover, the study unravels a monolithic pretension of the state, even as it is a fragmented conglomerate of competing "fiefdoms" of military officers and political appointees who profit from humanitarian aid. This work offers a conclusion that humanitarian effectiveness in South Sudan is systematically flawed. It is the result of a political economy in which both state and non-state actors have adapted to the short-term heroic, technical aid system without enhancing performance. The conclusions are a wake-up call to policymakers and international actors to move away from reductionist policies and implement conflict-sensitive policies that acknowledge the interactive, political nature of aid in South Sudan.
An assessment of the impact of the International Criminal Court in combating crimes against humanity in Africa
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-11) Margret Nanyonjo
The establishment of the International Criminal Court under the Rome Statute marked a historic milestone in the fight against impunity for grave international crimes. As the first permanent international tribunal with jurisdiction over genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression, the ICC was designed to ensure accountability where domestic systems are unwilling or unable to prosecute offenders. Since its operationalization in 2002, the majority of the Court's investigations and prosecutions have focused on African situations, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Libya, Central African Republic, and Sudan. This dissertation critically examines the effectiveness of the ICC in prosecuting crimes against humanity within these African contexts. It argues that the effectiveness of the Court cannot be understood purely as a legal matter but must be analyzed through political, institutional, and governance dynamics. Using qualitative case study methodology and drawing upon realism, liberalism, constructivism, and feminist international relations theories, this study demonstrates that the ICC‟s effectiveness is significantly shaped by political will, state cooperation, institutional capacity, sovereignty concerns, and regional diplomacy. While the ICC has achieved notable legal milestones, including convictions and the development of victim participation mechanisms, its enforcement limitations and reliance on state cooperation continue to constrain its overall impact in Africa.
The influence of cross-border security on community safety in Karamoja Region, Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-08) Edith Umwali
The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of cross-border security on community safety in Karamoja Region, Uganda. The objectives of the study were; to assess the nature and extent of cross-border security threats in the Karamoja region, including cattle rustling, arms trafficking, and inter-community conflicts; to examine the socio-economic influence of cross-border insecurity on livelihoods, trade, and development in the Karamoja region; to analyze the role of state and non-state actors (e.g., government agencies, security forces, local communities, and NGOs) in managing cross-border security issues. The study used descriptive cross-sectional design and quantitative approach was adopted. The study population were local community members (pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, traders, and youth living in border districts such as Kaabong, Moroto, and Amudat, Local Government officials (District leaders, sub-county chiefs, and local council representatives) and Security personnel. A sample of 222 respondents was used; the respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analysed using SPSS. The study finding shows that cattle rustling is a common security threat in Karamoja region community. The finding also shows that illegal arms trafficking contributes to insecurity in the Karamoja region. The study result indicated that cross-border insecurity negatively affects household livelihoods in my community. The study finding further shows that most of the respondents 97(43.7%) agreed that government agencies play an active role in addressing cross-border security threats. The study concluded that; Cross-border insecurity in Karamoja is multidimensional, involving both transnational criminal activities and local structural challenges. It also has profound socio-economic consequences for communities in the Karamoja region and that government agencies and security forces play a central role in enforcing law and order, reducing cross-border crime, and safeguarding territorial integrity. The study recommends that; strengthening cross-border security cooperation, promoting community participation in security efforts, supporting livelihood diversification and poverty reduction and institutionalizing cross-border cooperation.
Oil resources and political stability in South Sudan: a case study of Paloch in Upper Nile State
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-08) Rejoice Matthew
As the youngest country in the world, South Sudan has continued to experience political unrest since its independence in 2011, although it has some significant oil reserves in the Upper Nile State, especially in the Paloch and Melut Basin areas. This study will deal with the link between petroleum resource governance and political stability in South Sudan, with the main case study being Paloch in Upper Nile State and a time span of 2011 to 2025. The study sought to examine the role of oil resources in shaping political stability of South Sudan with focus on Paloch, analyse the impact of oil exploration and production activities on local communities in Paloch (economic and socio-political implications) and to examine the relationship between oil related conflicts and political instability in Upper Nile State. A qualitative research design was used, with only secondary sources used such as peer reviewed academic research, institutional and policy reports from the UNMISS, NRGI, Global Witness and the International Crisis group as well as credible media reports. Purposive sampling was used to identify sources that are directly relevant, of analytical quality, and appropriate temporal and geographic scope. The theoretical framework is a combination of Resource Curse Theory, Rentier State Theory, Social Constructivism, Instrumentalist Theory of Ethnicity, the Security Dilemma framework and Liberal Peacebuilding Theory. They are seen analytically as complementary and are used in combination to provide a multi-level explanation of oil-induced instability which covers elite action, community grievances, identity mobilization and government failure. The results show that in Paloch, oil has not driven development, but rather it has been a structural driver of conflict, elite predation and governance fragmentation. The oil benefits of the Melut Basin have been diverted from the State of the Upper Nile to the State of Juba, which has resulted in fiscal centralization, thereby fostering grievance structures within the Collo (Shilluk) communities, the Dinka Padang and the Nuer communities. Oil extraction has been a dispossession to communities in Paloch, and the impacts of this activity have been felt in the following ways: dispossession of ancestral lands, disruption of riverine livelihoods, environmental contamination, and exclusion from participative governance. Civil war in 5 Oil Resources and Political Stability in South Sudan December 2013 highlighted these dynamics dramatically, as control of Paloch oil infrastructure was an early target for armed groups. Previous peace agreements (ARCSS (2015) and R-ARCSS (2018) have failed to achieve sustainable peace due to the fact that they failed to tackle the issue of elite power-sharing but did not address the problem of sub-national contestation regarding the distribution of oil revenue and community benefits. The study argues that instability in Paloch is a systematic result of a political economy designed to focus the benefits of oil revenues in the hands of national and sub-national elites and exclude producing communities. It suggests the creation of a sub-national oil revenue governance mechanism for Upper Nile State, building the transparency of oil revenue into peace agreement implementation benchmarks, addressing community land rights in the Melut Basin, reform of the Petroleum Revenue Stabilization Fund, and development of livelihood programmes for communities affected by oil that are conflict sensitive.
The influence of ethnic disputes on regional conflict: case of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-07) Dorcas Kwagala
Background: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has experienced vast conflicts since 1996 with over 6 million estimated. The conflict is characterized by repetitive violence especially in the eastern regions which has attracted neighboring states and international actors. This study investigated the relationship between ethnic disputes and regional conflict in eastern DRC. Ethnic disputes such as land ownership, political representation and citizenship often serve as the immediate root causes of regional conflict. The main objective of this research was to identify the ethnic issues that fuel conflicts in the DRC. Other specific objectives included analyzing the mechanisms through which local disputes are escalated and sustained as conflicts in the DRC and understanding why peace building efforts led from above have failed and to suggest peace approaches that involve and empower local communities. Methodology: The study utilized the 2019/2026-Armed Conflict and Location Event Dataset and Uppsala Conflict Data Program. Both of them were cross-sectional studies that used data collected which used secondary data got by other researchers. The target population was in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri province especially among the locals. Results: Even though the DRC has experienced conflicts since the 1st and 2nd Congo wars, the 1994 Rwandan Genocide was the one that sparked off regional instability. Land disputes, ethnic tensions, resource competition and cross-border intervention. The relative weights assigned reflect the proportional emphasis across the secondary literature reviewed, including ACLED (2026) event data and Chigudu’s (2025) structural analysis. Resource competition and land disputes emerge as the dominant drivers, though all the four are deeply interconnected, as the preceding sections have demonstrated. The analysis that follows examines how these drivers reinforce one another within a single self-perpetuating conflict system. Conclusion: Ethnic disputes are exacerbated by different factors. Addressing these challenges is essential not only for lowering regional conflict but also improving the peace building mechanisms, prioritizing initiatives that bridge the gap between local and regional dimensions, and also monitoring the dynamics. Policy recommendations: Some policy recommendations could include deepening inclusive, multi-track peace and conflict transformation, future research should longitudinally assess the influence of these locally driven interventions, addressing the resource and economic drivers of conflict, safeguarding and improving multilateral peace operations among others.
The impact of symmetric diplomacy on corporate strategy and governance in Uganda–U.S relations
(Uganda Christian university, 2026-05-08) Alliyah Daniella Gordon Sworo
This study examines how the asymmetrical diplomatic operations can influence the cooperative result between Uganda, which is a powerful player in East and Central Africa, and the United States, the most powerful country in the world. Though there are distinct differences in economic, military, and institutional capabilities that define the bilateral relationship, the asymmetry has not always triggered unquestioned adherence or absolute subordination. Through the application of the asymmetric interdependence theory, power transition theory, and neoclassical realism, the manuscript hypothesises that Uganda has undertaken a constrained agency under the provisions of structural constraints. Kampala has attempted to gain concessions, contain external pressure, and maintain policy autonomy through strategic employments such as issue-linkage, coalition-building in regional and multilateral fora, and selective normative positioning. The analysis has four sections. The introductory chapter presents the theoretical and conceptual framework on which the study is based. In the second chapter, the author attempts to trace the development of Uganda-US relations from 1962, when Uganda gained independence, through the end of the Cold War. Chapter three examines trends in cooperation and contestation in the post-Cold War and post-9/11 periods, with a specific focus on security and development relations. The last chapter offers a critical assessment of the modern dynamics, including the emergence of economic diplomacy and the controversial nature of legislation on LGBTQ+ rights. The results suggest that structural power asymmetries are not the only factors affecting cooperative outcomes; they also include the strategic interests of Uganda vis-à-vis Washington, the effects of domestic political constituencies in both nations, and the overall international environment. The paper contends that asymmetric diplomacy does not lead to direct subjugation but to negotiation, contingency, and, at times, reciprocity, which are valuable to small and middle-power states negotiating with the world superpowers.
An assessment of the benefits and challenges of diplomatic immunity in international relations: a case study of Ugandan diplomats in foreign missions
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-07) Hope Kyohairwe
The study assessing the benefits and challenges of diplomatic immunity in international relations: a case study of Ugandan diplomats in foreign missions. The study was guided by objectives which included; examining the benefits of diplomatic immunity in promoting Uganda’s international relations, assessing the challenges associated with the practice of diplomatic immunity among Ugandan diplomats in foreign missions, and evaluating the measures undertaken to address the misuse of diplomatic immunity by Ugandan diplomats abroad. The study adopted a qualitative descriptive case study design, using purposive random sampling to select 10 key informant interviews who are top management in selected institutions like; the ambassadors, diplomatic officers, top management from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uganda, and top management from the United Nations in Uganda. Facts became accumulated through key informant interviews and analyzed thematically while adhering to strict ethical requirements. The research findings revealed that diplomatic immunity complements Uganda’s international family members by enabling powerful international relations, consider-building, and cooperation, even as demanding situations such as misinterpretation, misconduct allegations, legal complexities, and restrained training can harm Uganda’s reputation; however, measures like pre-deployment education, codes of conduct, responsibility mechanisms, diplomatic consultations, and adherence to worldwide conventions help sell ethical conduct and protect the country’s credibility overseas. In conclusion, while diplomatic immunity presents essential protections that support Uganda’s worldwide family members, its effectiveness depends on proper knowledge, moral use, and sturdy duty mechanisms. Finally, the research recommended the want for non-stop schooling for Ugandan diplomats on the scope and ethical use of diplomatic immunity, strengthening inner duty mechanisms, maintaining proactive engagement and cooperation with host states, enhancing public and media recognition of diplomatic privileges, and supplying good enough resources and institutional aid to make sure compliance and protect Uganda’s global credibility.
The role of civil society organizations in promoting gender equality in Bushenyi District, Uganda: a Case of Fida Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-22) Yonah Baasi
The study investigated the role of civil society organizations in fostering gender equality in Bushenyi District, Uganda: a case of FIDA Uganda. It specifically focused on; establishing the role of legal aid in promoting gender equality in Uganda, investigating the role of advocacy in promoting gender equality in Uganda, and assessing the role of capacity building in promoting gender equality in Uganda. The study was carried out using a case study research design. The data was collected using questionnaires and interviews and during data collection; both simple random and purposive sampling methods were used. A sample size of 50 respondents who are community members who are beneficiaries of FIDA Uganda programs in Bushenyi District and interviews with 5 FIDA Uganda’s top management, program coordinators, and officers was used in the study. The study findings revealed that FIDA Uganda plays a significant role in promoting gender equality in Bushenyi District through legal aid services, advocacy initiatives, and capacity building programs. Legal aid offerings enhance get right of entry to access justice and rights cognizance, advocacy initiatives influence network attitudes and coverage support for gender equality, while capacity constructing packages fortify the capabilities, self-belief, and participation of women and groups in social, financial, and choice-making tactics, collectively contributing to reduced gender discrimination and improved guide for equitable practices. Finally, the study recommends the need for strengthening legal aid outreach, expanding continuous community sensitization on gender rights, enhancing collaboration between civil society organizations and local government to integrate gender issues into planning and governance, expanding capacity-building programs that empower women’s leadership and economic participation, and promoting inclusive approaches that actively involve men and boys in advancing gender equality in Bushenyi District.
Effectiveness of International Aid in Uganda: a case of Oxfam Food Security program in Moroto
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-04) Laura Masamba Rabwoni
The study examined the effectiveness of international aid in Uganda: a case of Oxfam Food Security Program in Moroto. It specifically focused on; examining how food aid is delivered in Moroto, examining how food aid delivered through Oxfam has contributed to food security, analyzing the challenges affecting the effectiveness of food aid in Moroto district within Oxfam’s food security programs, and assessing the sustainability of food aid interventions in promoting long term food security in Moroto. The study was conducted using qualitative descriptive case study design to examine the effectiveness of Oxfam’s food security program in Moroto district, Uganda, using key informant interviews with Oxfam staff and district officials and focus group discussions with farmer groups selected through purposive and simple random sampling. Data were collected from 25 respondents and analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. The study results showed that while greatly boosting family food availability, nutrition, and protection of vulnerable populations, Oxfam's food aid in Moroto is systematically targeted and effectively distributed through coordinated community-based systems that improve accessibility, predictability, and fairness. Though integration of food aid with livelihoods, community involvement, capacity building, and alignment with local governance systems boosts sustainability, logistical difficulties, insufficient resources, environmental shocks, and coordination gaps limit program effectiveness notwithstanding these advantages. The study ultimately recommended the need to strengthen logistical planning, get sustainable funding, boost community involvement, combine food aid with livelihood and capacity-building projects, and improve coordination with local government structures to guarantee timely delivery, consistency, relevance, sustainability, and long-term efficacy of Oxfam's food security activities in Moroto district.
Effects of government compliance with International Human Rights Instruments on freedom of expression in Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-30) Robinah Atim
The research examined the effects of government compliance with international human rights instruments on freedom of expression in Uganda with a specific focus on Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). The study was guided by objectives which included; identifying the key international human rights instruments that safeguard freedom of expression applicable to Uganda, evaluating the effectiveness of these international human rights instruments in enforcing freedom of expression in Uganda, investigating the challenges faced in implementing these international human rights instruments aimed at ensuring freedom of expression in Uganda, and assessing the role of UHRC in promoting compliance with international human rights instruments in relation to freedom of expression in Uganda. The research followed a qualitative descriptive case study layout, the use of purposive and easy random sampling to pick out 10 respondents from pinnacle control and lower-stage employees, with facts accumulated thru in-intensity and key informant interviews and analyzed thematically to take a look at authorities compliance with worldwide human rights instruments and its effects on freedom of expression, even as adhering to strict ethical requirements. The research findings found out that UHRC widely acknowledges and applies worldwide human rights gadgets as the inspiration for shielding freedom of expression in Uganda, integrating them into policy alignment, lawsuits managing, investigations, tracking, reporting, and advocacy. even as those instruments strengthen UHRC’s authority and provide clean requirements for assessing authorities compliance, their sensible effectiveness is confined via vulnerable enforcement, restrained institutional cooperation, political pressures, and gaps among global commitments and implementation. Generally, UHRC plays a critical role in promoting government compliance through coverage recommendation, monitoring, reporting, public schooling, and advocacy, with real impact in large part dependent on political will and accountability mechanisms. Finally, the study recommended the need for strengthening political will and institutional support, enhancing capacity building for government officials, improving UHRC’s monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, expanding public education and advocacy on freedom of expression, and fostering inter-agency collaboration to ensure effective implementation and compliance with international human rights instruments in Uganda.
The role of decentralisation in promoting health service delivery in Arua hill division, Arua city, Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-26) Fortunate Maketa
This study examined the role of decentralisation in promoting health service delivery in Arua Hill Division, Arua City, Uganda, covering the period 2020–2025. Guided by three specific objectives assessing the effects of political, administrative, and fiscal decentralisation on health service delivery the study adopted a qualitative case study research design and relied exclusively on secondary documentary sources, including national health sector performance reports, Auditor General reports, local government performance assessments, policy instruments, and peer-reviewed academic literature. Findings revealed that, while Uganda's decentralisation framework formally transferred governance responsibilities to division-level structures, all three dimensions of decentralisation fell short of generating meaningful improvements in health service delivery. Political decentralisation established formal institutional structures elected councils and citizen participation mechanisms but these did not produce functional downward accountability; no documented corrective responses to a 54% health worker vacancy rate and persistent medicine stockouts were found. Administrative decentralisation devolved management responsibility without a corresponding transfer of authority: division-level structures functioned as administrative relays rather than empowered management units, with staffing, drug procurement, and facility oversight remaining centrally controlled. Fiscal decentralisation operated as a fiscal management arrangement rather than a fiscal empowerment arrangement, with per capita health expenditure of approximately US$23 falling far below the WHO benchmark of US$86, transfer predictability constrained by the Treasury Single Account system, and grant conditionality limiting local expenditure discretion. The study concludes that decentralisation in Arua Hill Division achieved institutional form without institutional function across all three dimensions. It recommends strengthening political accountability mechanisms, expanding administrative decision space for health workforce and procurement management, revising the health conditional grant formula to reflect demographic pressures from refugee-hosting populations, and increasing the national health budget allocation toward the 15% Abuja Declaration target. The findings contribute to the limited scholarship on decentralised health governance in Uganda's West Nile sub-region and carry policy relevance for similar contexts across different countries.
Impact of the Uganda Rwanda border conflict on the diplomatic relations in Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2024-10-08) Doris Patience Akullu
Intermittent tensions, trade disputes, and accusations of interference have characterized the conflict between the governments of Uganda and Rwanda. The influence this has had on Uganda's diplomatic relations has been immense. In regard to the stated above, the present dissertation explores a multimodal ramification for the cited conflict on trade, security cooperation, regional integration efforts, and Uganda's international image. Using a qualitative research method that involves in-depth interviews with government officials, diplomats, and experts, the study traces the causes of the conflict, the dynamics, and its implications for Uganda's foreign policy objectives. The examination will explain the complex interplay of domestic forces, regional politics, and international influences at play that dictates the trajectory of the Ugandan-Rwandan relationship. This dissertation discusses in detail the challenges and opportunities facing Uganda as it navigates the diplomatic complexities created for Uganda by the border conflict still ongoing. The study provided an all-rounded analysis of conflict implications on the Ugandan diplomatic landscape by understanding the historical context, events, and root causes of the conflict.

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