Social Work and Community Development in Mbarara District, Western Uganda

ABSTRACT The study was carried out in Mbarara municipality in western Uganda and it was carried to examine the role of social work in community development. The objectives of this research were to analyze the profile of respondents, analyze the contributions of social work towards community development in Mbarara municipality, to examine the factors hindering social work practice in Mbarara municipality and to propose mechanisms that can be employed to improve social work for community development. The study used a descriptive research design to describe issues relating to social work and community development. The population of the study included selected employees of Mbarara district, local government officials, local community members and sub-county officials. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling procedures were used in the study to obtain a sample of 50 respondents. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources using questionnaires, key informant interviews and interview guides. Data was analyzed qualitatively in themes that reflect the study objectives. The study found out that social work contribute to community development in Mbarara municipality mainly through extension of services to the needy people. However, there are several factors hindering pursuit of social work in Mbarara municipality such as poor mobilization of human capital, poor child development and society restoration, limited government recognition and lack of legal framework. The study further suggested measures to improve social work for community development in Mbarara municipality including community sensitization, adopting development perspective and capacity building promoting local participation and community involvement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...•~...iv

ABSTRACT viii

C HAPrER ONE: INTRODUCTION~~~, 1

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the study. 1

1.2 Problem statement .......4

1.3 Purpose of the study 4

1.4 Objectives of the study 4

1.5 Research Questions 5

1.6 Scope of the study 5

1.6.1 Content scope 5

1.6.2 Geographical scope 5

1.6.3 Time scope 5

1.7 Significance of the study 6

1.8 Operational definition of key terms 6

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ~ .~...~8

2.1 Introduction 8

2.1 Contributions of social work towards the community development in Uganda 8

V

2.3 Factors hindering the implementation of social work activities in Uganda.............. 11

2.3 Mechanisms that can be employed to improve social work for community

development in Uganda~14

C HAP1E~~. ~rHREE: METHODOLOGY 17

3.0 Introduction 17

3.1 Research Design ..~......17

3.2 Research Population~17

3.3 Sample Size 17

3.4 Sources of data~18

3.5 Data collection Methods~18

3.6 Data quality control~19

3.7 Data Processing and Analysis 19

3.8 Ethical Procedures 20

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF

FIND~NG~ u.nn.nnng.u ,u.,n,u,u nun. u,,nnun.u 21

4.0 Introduction 21

4.1 Demographic Characteristics 21

4.1 Gender of respondents 21

4.1.2 Age of respondents 22

4.1.3 Academic Qualifications of respondents 23

4,2 Role of social work in community development at Mbarara municipality 24

4.3 Factors hindering the pursuit of social work in Mbarara municipality 27

vi

4.4 Measures to improve social work for community development in Mbarara

municipality 29

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS,

RECOMMENDATIONS AND.bUbfl 33

AREAS OF FURfHER ~ m@unnnsnaanub,w..untu,u,,nt, a,,, 33

5.0 Introduction 33

5.1 Summary of findings~33

5.2 Conclusions 34

5.3 Recommendations ................,.....~.........,....,.34

5.4 Areas of further research~35

REFERENCES 36

APPENDICES ,a,aa a.,,,,, a,,nea.aaa,aa a,,,,,, aan,a,a,,,,,,,,,,n,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,a,,,,u,,, ,,,,,a,,, , 39

Appendix I: Research instrument, Questionnaire 39

Appendix II: Research Time Frame 43

APPENDIX III: ACTUAL RESEARCH BUDGET 44