Journal
Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research
MJAAR
The Unsteady Pulse: Voter Discipline and Electoral Violence in Uganda's Historical Context
Dr. Arinaitwe Julius, Ahumuza Audrey
| Journal | Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research (MJAAR) |
| Volume / Issue | Vol. 5, No. 3 |
| Published | 31 March 2026 |
| ISSN | 3006-6417 |
Abstract
Electoral violence has become a defining characteristic of Uganda's political landscape, undermining democratic development and perpetuating authoritarian governance despite the formal restoration of multiparty politics in 2005. This study examined electoral violence as a systematic mechanism of voter discipline within Uganda's historical context, tracing its evolution from the post-independence period through contemporary electoral cycles and analyzing its strategic deployment, impacts, and implications for democratic consolidation. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study combined historical analysis of archival documents and electoral records spanning 1962 to 2023 with quantitative survey data from 1,847 respondents across ten districts representing Uganda's four major regions, complemented by 48 in-depth interviews with key informants including electoral officials, political actors, civil society leaders, and violence victims. Univariate analysis revealed that 36.4% of respondents personally experienced electoral violence while 69.8% witnessed it, with intimidation and threats (59.1%) being the most prevalent form, and state security forces and ruling party operatives collectively identified as perpetrators in over 80% of incidents. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that violence exposure was significantly associated with demographic and political characteristics (all p
Keywords
Discipline and Electoral Violence
Cite This Article
Dr. Arinaitwe Julius & Ahumuza Audrey (2026). The Unsteady Pulse: Voter Discipline and Electoral Violence in Uganda's Historical Context. Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research, 5(3). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=268
More in This Issue
View full issue →
16
From Fatalism to Agency: Reversing the Civic Expectancy-Prayer Paradigm in African Development
civic engagement
religious orientation
theological fatalism
collective efficacy
17
From Festive Consumption to National Capital: Policy Lessons for Redirecting Seasonal Expenditure in Uganda
estive expenditure
seasonal consumption patterns
domestic resource mobilization
matched savings schemes
18
From Savings to Sustainable Growth: A Policy Analysis of Project Okusevinga and Uganda’s Human Capital Investment Imperative
Savings Mobilization
Human Capital Investment
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Economic Growth.
19
From Seasonal Saving to Sustained Investment: Breaking the Cycle of Festive Expenditure in Uganda
Seasonal savings
festive expenditure
sustained investment
commitment savings