Training and security service delivery in Kampala metropolitan police (KMP) area, a case of the police senior command and staff course

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between training and security service delivery in the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Area, a region where insecurity remains a pressing national challenge in Uganda. It focused on the Police Senior Command and Staff Course offered at the Police Training School–Bwebajja, which is designed to enhance the professional competence of police officers. The objectives were to assess the nature of training and its impact on service delivery, to examine the relationship between skills acquired and security service delivery, and to identify challenges affecting effective policing in the KMP Area. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing sequential explanatory and exploratory designs. The study population comprised 118 senior police officers and 5,943 Local Council members from villages within the KMP Area, with a sample size of 91 senior officers determined using Taro Yamane’s (1967) formula. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and documentary review checklists. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that on-job training significantly enhanced operational efficiency and confidence among officers, making it the most effective training approach. A strong positive correlation was found between skills attained through training and security service delivery (r = 0.866, p < 0.01), while another strong positive relationship was established between training and overall service delivery (r = 0.732, p <0.01). However, inadequate resources were identified as a major barrier hindering effective service delivery. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that relevant and well-supported training is a critical driver of effective security service delivery in Uganda, and its enhancement is essential for addressing current and future policing challenges. The study therefore recommends increased resource allocation, the strengthening of off-job training opportunities, and the design of comprehensive, practical training programs that align with contemporary policing needs to ensure that officers are fully equipped to deliver improved security services.