The nexus between slum dwelling and criminality in Uganda: a case of Kabalagala Parish, Kampala Metropolitan south policing region

Abstract

The study examined the nexus between slum dwelling and criminality in Kabalagala parish, Kampala Metropolitan South Policing Region (KMPS). Working with the defensible space theory and broken windows theory, the study specifically examined the nature of criminality, extent to which slum dwelling influences criminality, and the gender difference experiences of criminality in the slum of Kabalagala. A mixed approach was adopted to collect primary data from 358 respondents using questionnaires and 7 key informants using interview guides for the local leaders and police officials who interact with the community in the fight against criminality in Kabalagala. Analysis utilized descriptive statistics for the quantitative study and thematic analysis for the qualitative study. Findings revealed that the population, settlement and housing structure have an effect on criminality within Kabalagala parish. This slum area is densely populated with a highly mobile population. It is a highly attractive place for foreign immigrants with different missions, culture and flashy lifestyle. It is dominated with small cheap housing structures which attract a huge mass of low-income earners who struggle to earn a living, characterized with many criminal dark and hot spots. Most slum dwellers are of a low education status with no profession and hence limited opportunities for employment. They are economically poor, idle clustered in informal groups, psychologically stressed and hardly access financial means for survival. All these settlement and housing dynamics as well as socio-economic attributes of the population of Kabalagala render it a fertile ground for breeding and perpetrating crimes such as prostitution, robbery, theft, domestic violence, drug abuse and assault. Gender differences indicated that men are more likely than women to commit crimes such as theft, burglary and domestic violence, yet, women are more likely than men to be victims, engage in prostitution and youth were generally more likely to commit crime. The study recommends the need for collective efforts by all stakeholders to economically empower men, women and youth in the slum dwellings; continuously sensitize and mentor the community especially the youth with a view to changing their mind-sets, perception about life and vigilance on issues of local security. UPF should conduct intelligence-led operations to identify non registered residents, beef up security patrols in the dark spots, and take appropriate measures against the corrupt officers in order to protect the image and credibility of the police institution.