Examining women’s involvement towards maintaining peace and security in Kampala Metropolitan

Abstract

The study examined women’s involvement towards maintaining peace and security in Kampala Metropolitan (KM), Uganda, focusing on four objectives: assessing women's roles in promoting peace and security; evaluating the effectiveness of their involvement; investigating the challenges they face; and suggesting strategies for strengthening their participation. The study employed a case study design integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches, using purposive and simple random sampling to select 260 participants from community members, women leaders, government and security actors, civil society organizations, and development partners. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, and analyzed using frequencies and percentages for quantitative data and thematic and content analysis for qualitative data. Findings revealed that women in KM perform substantive and diverse roles in peace and security, most strongly in community dialogue and mediation, peace education, victim support, and early warning. Significant effectiveness outcomes, particularly in victim support, violence prevention, and trust-building, affirm that their contributions are impact-oriented rather than symbolic. Nevertheless, women face structural, cultural, and institutional barriers, including inadequate training, negative community attitudes, financial constraints, and limited access to decision-making positions. Findings further revealed strong community endorsement for a strategy framework centred on decision-making inclusion, public awareness, leadership training, gender equality policies, and NGO collaboration. The study recommends that the Government of Uganda strengthen implementation of the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 at the metropolitan level, strengthen women’s decision-making power, link grassroots women’s peace structures to formal security institutions, establish a dedicated Women’s Peace and Security Fund, and require women’s co-ownership in donor-funded peace and security programmes.