Doctor of Philosophy in Conflict Resolution

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https://testir.kiu.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12306/14241

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    Human security and sustainable peace in western and northern regions of Uganda
    (Kampala International University, College of Humanities and social Science, 2022-11) Ndungutse, Andrew
    Human security is an emerging field in security and peace studies, focusing on ensuring peace through harnessing resources towards meeting peoples’ needs. It is therefore based on this premise that this study was carried out and sought to understand how the promotion of human security can facilitate sustainable peace. The study sought to achieve four objectives and they are; To determine the effect of economic security on sustainable peace, to determine the influence of political security on sustainable peace, to examine the relationship between environmental security and sustainable peace, and to evaluate the relationship between community security and sustainable peace. The study was premised on two theories, namely; the rational choice theory by George Homans, Peter Balu and James Coleman, and Galtung’s theory of peace. A comparative research approach was used and two regions in Uganda were focused on, namely; Northern Uganda and Western Uganda. Furthermore, a mixed research methodology was adopted comprising survey and in-depth interviews to elicit data. 400 questionnaires were distributed and 383 were retrieved, while 57 individuals were purposively selected to collect qualitative data. Data collected was analyzed using a variety of analytical methods, including, correlation, multiple regressions, and descriptive methods of analysis. The issue of human security as a concept is relatively new and studies combining different elements of human security are very few and far-between. It was based on this premise that this study sought to find out how different elements of human security impacts sustainable peace. The findings have shown that all four elements of human security studied in the current research are significantly related to sustainable peace. The findings showed a positive correlation between economic security and sustainable peace, r(381)= .663, P<.001 implying that without economic security, peace cannot be sustained as people are going to agitate for better government and will do anything to ensure the change they want becomes a reality. Furthermore, the study found out that grassroot participation, and high level of democratization impacts the sustainability of peace. Also, the findings showed a positive correlation between political security and sustainable peace, r(381)= .683, P<.001, an indication that the higher the level of political security, the more likely sustainable peace will be achieved. Also, the study found a positive correlation between environmental security and sustainable peace, r(381)= .718, P<.001. This indicates that the higher the level of environmental security, the more likely sustainable peace will be achieved. Finally, the findings showed a positive correlation between community security and sustainable peace, r(381)= .705, P<.001. Based on the findings, the research recommended that there is a need for the government to create schemes that support the people economically and to also create an avenue for those that feel politically excluded to be included in the political discourse of the country. The researcher also called on research institutes to work on seeds that can survive extreme conditions in a bid to combat the effects of climate change. Finally, the government must ensure equity in the protection of lives, and justice must be seen to be impartial.
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    Ethnic conflicts and statehood in South Sudan
    (Kampala International University, College of Humanities and social Science, 2021-11) Kulang, Timothy Tut
    study examined the impact of ethnic conflicts on the statehood in South Sudan. In doing so, the study set out to realize four objectives: to investigate the causes of ethnic conflicts in South Sudan; to examine the effects of ethnic loyalty on statehood in South Sudan; to evaluate the impacts of ethnic conflicts on statehood in South Sudan, and to determine the strategic remedies to mitigate the ethnic conflict in South Sudan. In addition, the study was guided by two theories namely: Elite Manipulation (EM) Theory and Theory of Protracted Social Conflict (PSC). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and a mixed method approach in data collection, whereby both quantitative (survey questionnaire) and qualitative (key informant interview) approaches were used to elicit data from the study. Quantitative approach, however, was the main source of data, whilst qualitative approach served as a supplementary source of data. The sample size consisted of 399 respondents for quantitative data determined through Slovene’s formula and another 15 key informants determined purposively by the researcher. Quantitative data were presented using descriptive statistics (frequency counts and percentages) and inferential statistics, while the hypotheses were tested using correlations and coefficients of determination. Then, qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis method, whereby raw data from the field were assigned preliminary codes in order to describe the content, followed by grouping the data based on identified patterns or themes of the codes across the different interviews. On the purpose of the study, which is the impact of ethnic conflicts on the statehood in South Sudan, the study found that ethnic diversity has positive and significant effect on statehood in South Sudan however, the ethnic conflicts make it a real challenge to the statehood. The findings also show evidence of a weak positive linear relationship between ethnic conflicts and statehood in South Sudan. On the first objective, the study found that unfair allocation of political positions, corruption and nepotism within the government system and power struggles among the elites are the main causes of ethnic conflict in South Sudan. On the second objective, the study found that ethnic loyalty which is associated with ethnic bias, sentiment and prejudice has a negative impact on the statehood in South Sudan. On the third objective, the quantitative data reveals that ethnic conflicts do not have any significant or direct impact on the statehood in South Sudan. However, the qualitative data differs as it indicates that ethnic conflicts have a direct adverse impact on the statehood in South Sudan. The fourth and final objective reveal that the remedies to mitigate ethnic conflicts in South Sudan are but not limited to: respect for minority rights and interest, fair allocation of state powers and national resources, restructure of the modalities of coexistence through ethnic dialogue. Other remedial measures include respect for ethnic communities’ boundary, promotion of friendly cooperation among ethnic groups, restructuring of state administrative organs into units that are fairly represented in terms of ethnic affiliations or introduce quota system for disadvantaged groups and spread across the different regions, full implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, particularly disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) among others.
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    Media coverage and conflict management in Kenya Presidential Elections
    (Kampala International University, College of Humanities and social Science, 2021-07) Owade, Joan Adongo
    The study sought to examine the media’s role in conflict management in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: To examine media coverage of 2007 to 2017 Kenyan presidential elections; To determine media influence on the use of avoidance in escalating conflict during Kenyan presidential elections; To analyze media impact on the use of compromise in de-escalating conflict during Kenyan presidential elections; and to evaluate the contribution of the Government in conflict management during the 2007 to 2017 Kenyan presidential elections. The study adopted descriptive research design, and employed a mixed method approach, where qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in data collection. A sample size of 385 respondents was derived through Survey Monkey formula, an online technique for calculating sample size. On the first objective, the findings show that within the study period, 2007, 2013 and 2017, Media houses in Kenya gradually changed their coverage from an approach that promoted conflict to an approach that advocated for peace during election period. On the second objective, the study revealed that the media has played a role in escalation of violence, by promoting the use of avoidance as a conflict management approach. The study revealed that to a high degree, the media played a role in escalating violence in 2007 by creating an atmosphere where the politicians did not have to be accountable for their actions as long as they are the preferred candidate of a particular media house, which was not the case in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections. On the third objective, the findings revealed that the media influenced use of compromise as a conflict resolution strategy in the presidential elections of 2013 and 2017. The study showed that the media de-escalated conflict by encouraging the use of dialogue and compromise as a form of conflict management. On the fourth objective, the qualitative findings showed that the government has not contributed much to peace building during elections, while the qualitative data shows her efforts in promoting peaceful elections. There is need to harmonize these varying opinions by sensitizing the masses on government efforts. Also, there is need to strengthen existing policies on the electoral processes and conduct. The study concludes that the media has the potential to escalate or deescalate conflict if a conscious effort is not made. This conclusion was arrived based on the findings of the study which showed that violent conflict reduced even as the journalistic approach adopted also changed from war journalism to peace journalism. This presents irrefutable evidence that the manner and approach of news dissemination has a direct impact on electoral violence. Based on the findings and conclusions of this study, the following recommendations were made; media houses need to adopt new policies that strikes the right balance between reporting the news and being socially responsible to the country and people living therein. Secondly, the media council of Kenya needs to improve and enforce the already drawn up policy on electoral reporting. The third recommendation was that, the media should conduct more debates and talk shows by hosting key stakeholders to address relevant subjects regarding the electoral process and concerns. Finally, it was recommended that the government of Kenya should collaborate with media houses, international and local NGOs as well as community leaders to come up with ways to ensure peaceful electoral outcomes in the country going forward.
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    Resource allocation and refugee- host community conflicts in western Uganda
    (Kampala International University, College of Humanities and social Science, 2023-05) Atukwatse, Judith
    The study investigated how resource allocation contributes to conflicts among refugees and the host-communities in Western Uganda, specifically in Nakivale and Oruchinga. The study was guided by the following objectives: i) How land allocation leads to conflicts among refugees and the host-communities in Nakivale and Oruchinga. ii.) How access to water resources leads to conflicts between the refugees and host communities in Nakivale and Oruchinga. iii). The impact of cash-handouts initiative on conflicts among refugees and host communities of Nakivale and Oruchinga.The study was guided by two theories: conflict theory and the Socio-Identity theory of intergroup behavior. The theories were used to explain the casual factors that instigate conflicts between refugees and host communities. The study adopted descriptive research design and a mixed method approach where qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in data collection. A sample size of 370 respondents was drawn from a population of 13,575 households using Slovin‘s formula. This comprised of refugees and host community members in Nakivale and Oruchinga. Also, 25 key informants were selected purposively for qualitative data. The study findings on objective one indicates that, most probable causes of land conflicts between refugees and host communities are inadequate consultation with the host communities prior to establishment of refugee camps and settlements, limited participation of host community during land allocation to the refugees, environmental degradation of resources such as trees, firewood by refugees. For objective two, water conflicts are majorly caused by insufficient water sources to meet the needs of the refugees and host communities for their livelihood enterprises, agriculture and livestock. Inappropriate strategies for allocation of water resources to the refugees that do not put into the needs of the host communities and failure to separate water points for the refugees/host-community and their livestock. Objective three, cash handout initiatives to refugees was seen as a way of creating classes that cause conflicts between refugees and host communities. The host communities refer to refugees as ―kings‖ who can afford basics of life compared to host community members who sometimes fail to get basic necessities of life. Still, when cash is not got on time refugees tend to get merchandise from local shops where at times they fail to pay and steers up conflicts with local shopkeepers in the host community. The study concludes that, resource allocation in settlement areas should not only focus on refugees but also consider the welfare of the hosting community if at all conflicts have to be minimized between refugees and host community. The study recommends that prior to establishment of refugee camps and/or settlements, Government needs to develop a comprehensive plan where host communities and refugees are involved in planning and also sensitizing them on how to share the available resources amicable to avoid conflicts.