Social media: a double-edged sword in promoting peace and security in Uganda, Kampala Central Region

Abstract

The study examined “Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword in Promoting Peace and Security in Uganda, Kampala Central Region.” The study aimed to achieve three specific objectives: to examine the contributions of social media to promoting peace and security, to identify the challenges that social media poses to promoting peace and security, and to suggest strategies to mitigate the challenges posed by social media towards promoting peace and security in Uganda. A cross-sectional design was used, employing a mixed-methods approach that combined both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. A total of 374 participants from Kampala Central Division took part in the research, with triangulation used to enhance the validity of the findings. The research utilized convenience, purposive, and simple random sampling strategies. The response rates for questionnaires and interviews were 98 percent and 86 percent, respectively. To ensure consistency in data collection and interpretation, a pilot study was conducted among selected knowledgeable respondents to verify data validity and reliability. Qualitative analysis was performed using content and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that social media has been highly effective in contributing to peace and security in Uganda (mean = 3.62, SD = 1.09). Moreover, the findings strongly indicate that social media present challenges to promoting peace and security in Uganda (mean = 3.89, SD = 0.078). Finally, the study validated strategies to address these challenges, such as government monitoring, collaboration between social media companies and organizations, social media literacy, strengthening legal frameworks, and promoting dialogue (Mean = 3.87, St. D = 0.1002). The study suggests a multi-faceted approach that includes better digital literacy, stronger legal and regulatory frameworks, better government monitoring, and more cooperation between social media companies, government agencies, and civil society groups. It also advocates for local content creation, digital peace campaigns, and community involvement to counter harmful narratives and promote peacebuilding. The study concludes that although social media carries notable risks, it also offers transformative opportunities for fostering peace and security. Therefore, strategic and collaborative actions are essential to harness its benefits while minimizing misuse.