Welfare and crime nexus in the security sector institutions, a case of Kampala metropolitan east

Abstract

This study examined the nexus between welfare provisions and crime within the Uganda Police Force (UPF), focusing on Kampala Metropolitan East. Guided by the General Strain Theory, the research sought to (i) identify the prevalent types of crime committed by members of security sector institutions, (ii) establish how welfare dimensions relate to crime, and (iii) analyze the challenges faced in combating crime within these institutions. A cross-sectional research design was employed, with data collected from 207 respondents comprising residents, police officers, welfare experts, and administrative officials. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied, with findings analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression models. Results indicated that crime is both widespread and multifaceted within the police force. The most prevalent crimes identified were corruption (73.4%), domestic violence (61.2%), simple and aggravated assaults (57.9%), and sexual violence (41.5%). Homicide and shootings, though less frequent (24.8%), were viewed as highly severe due to their impact on public trust and institutional credibility. These findings directly address the first research question by highlighting the dominant categories of misconduct and their distribution across the force. Regarding welfare, the study revealed significant deficits across key dimensions. Inadequate housing and poor sanitation were reported by 68.7% of respondents, while 74.1% indicated low and irregular salaries as a major demotivating factor. Limited access to health services was acknowledged by 59.3%, whereas 63.5% of officers cited lack of training and career development opportunities. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive relationship between poor welfare and crime involvement (r = 0.648, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further confirmed that welfare deficits significantly predict criminal activity (β = 0.544, p < 0.001), explaining 41.2% of the variance in crime rates among officers. These results provide empirical evidence in response to the second research question, underscoring how welfare shortcomings foster unethical behavior within the institution. The third objective explored challenges in combating crime. Findings highlighted inadequate resource allocation (reported by 71.6% of respondents), weak disciplinary mechanisms (65.8%), and policy inconsistencies (52.4%) as the leading obstacles. Respondents also emphasized cultural influences, including tolerance of corruption and internal solidarity, which inhibit accountability. These challenges weaken institutional oversight, allowing misconduct to persist despite existing legal and administrative frameworks. The study establishes that welfare deficiencies are directly linked to elevated crime rates within security institutions. Crime prevalence not only erodes public trust but also compromises the operational effectiveness of the UPF. Addressing welfare gaps, strengthening disciplinary mechanisms, and ensuring adequate resource allocation are therefore essential policy interventions for reducing misconduct and enhancing professionalism within Uganda’s security sector.