Occupational stress and performance of security personnel in private security companies in Uganda

Abstract

The research delved into occupational stress and performance of security personnel in private security companies in Uganda. It aimed atidentifying the primary stressors experienced by security personnel within private security companies operating in Uganda, evaluating the impact of stress on the job performance and effectiveness of security personnel in Uganda's private security sector, examining the relationship between stress, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions among security personnel in private security companies in Uganda; and, providing recommendations for policymakers, private security companies, and relevant stakeholders to improve the management of stress and promote the overall effectiveness of security personnel in Uganda. The researcher employed a qualitative research design that mainly featured the desktop/library research methodology that purposively looked into the relationship between stress and job performance among security personnel in private organizations in Uganda.It was concluded that, the well-being and effectiveness of security personnel in Uganda's private security sector are significantly compromised by various stressors, including long working hours, inadequate compensation, financial insecurity, and high-risk environments, all of which collectively impair their cognitive and physical capabilities, leading to reduced job satisfaction and underperformance. Therefore, the study recommended a coordinated approach of involving policymakers, private security companies, and relevant stakeholdersto ensure that security personnel receive adequate compensation, regular payment schedules, and reasonable working hours, thereby addressing financial insecurity and reducing fatigue. Finally, it proposed areas of further research that could focus on identifying and quantifying the primary stressors experienced by security personnel within private security companies (PSCs) in Uganda, particularly examining the specific impact of long working hours, inadequate compensation, financial insecurity, and high-risk environments on their cognitive and physical capabilities.