The challenges of private security organizations in contributing to peace in Uganda

Abstract

The challenges of private security organizations in contributing to peace in Uganda. This Study is about the Challenges of Private security organizations in contributing to peace in Uganda, taking Tight Security as a case study. Man’s evolution to a complex and developed species, has overtime, created many challenges including insecurity largely because of population explosion vis-à-vis the scarce resources. The liberalization of certain security spheres in the world is one of the ways to mitigate insecurity paving way to private security companies which face challenges in Uganda. This situation needs urgent solutions for a peaceful society. The study brings out the Negative security incidents in which security guards have been involved, the challenges faced by the company owners and individual guards. The study was conducted through Oral interviews with selected samples, questionnaires and question guides, observation in the field plus looking at relevant literature in line with set objectives then content analysis done. It was established that Private guards are recruited from poor socio-economic background, have low level Education, undergo poor training, are badly housed, poorly administered, paid very small salaries, work under hard conditions and Police is not very strict in overseeing the PSOs as mandated in the Police Act CAP 303 1994. These conditions contribute much to their poor performance hence the insecurity and lack of confidence in them by the general public. With this at hand, the Researcher agrees with most respondents that poorly managed PSOs are a major cause of insecurity as opposed to their main reason of establishment. The study recommends that Police oversight be enhanced, good remuneration (Minimum wage) be put in place to attract studied people as guards, training should be more professional and PSO proprietors should improve upon other working conditions like Transport, attire and Equipments. With these solutions among others, PSOs are likely to contribute to a peaceful Uganda than they currently do.