MJAAR

Executive dominance and its effect on parliamentary committee effectiveness in Uganda

Dr. Arinaitwe Julius, Akampulira Sarah, Nabaasa Desire


Abstract

This study examined the effect of executive dominance on parliamentary committee effectiveness in Uganda, drawing on a cross-sectional survey of 312 respondents including members of parliament, committee clerks, civil society representatives, and parliamentary researchers. The study was anchored on the principal-agent theory and the separation of powers doctrine. Three specific objectives guided the inquiry: to assess the extent of executive dominance over parliamentary committees in Uganda; to examine the relationship between executive dominance and committee effectiveness; and to determine the effect of executive dominance on the oversight, legislative review, and budget scrutiny functions of parliamentary committees. A structured questionnaire measuring executive dominance across five dimensions budget control, appointment power, legislative agenda setting, information asymmetry, and party discipline and committee effectiveness across three sub-dimensions was administered. Data were analysed using univariate descriptive statistics, bivariate Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modelling (SEM). Descriptive findings revealed a mean executive dominance composite score of 4.17 (SD=0.52) on a 5-point Likert scale, while the mean committee effectiveness score stood at a significantly lower 2.63 (SD=0.71), indicating constrained parliamentary performance. Pearson correlation analysis returned a strong negative association between executive dominance and committee effectiveness (r=−0.621, p

Keywords

executive dominance parliamentary committee effectiveness Uganda oversight separation of powers structural equation modelling
Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research

Cite This Article

Dr. Arinaitwe Julius, Akampulira Sarah & Nabaasa Desire (2026). Executive dominance and its effect on parliamentary committee effectiveness in Uganda. Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research, 5(6). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=462

More in This Issue

View full issue →
1
A comparative analysis of the Sixth Parliament and the 11th Parliament's institutional independence
Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Dr. Twinomujuni Rosebell2 , Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara3
Institutional Independence Sixth Parliament Eleventh Parliament Legislative Autonomy
2
Access To Finance And Performance Of Small And Medium Enterprises In Uganda: A Case Of Selected Smes In Kabale Municipality
Kato Evarist, Magara Muhammed
Access to Finance SME Performance Bank Credit Microfinance
3
Assessing the feasibility of sector-based parliamentary representation in Uganda's governance system
Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Dr. Twinomujuni Rosebell2 , Ahumuza Audrey3
Assessing the feasibility of sector-based parliamentary representation in Uganda's governance system
4
Auditing as ritual versus auditing as enforcement: rethinking public accountability mechanisms in Uganda
Dr. Mategeko Betty1 , Ahumuza Audrey2 , Dr. Twinomujuni Rosebell3
Auditing Public Accountability
5
Business Risk Management, Capital Structure, And Financial Performance Of SMEs: A Case Of Nakaseke District
Naira Golda Ratib, Kabanda Richard
Business risk management capital structure financial performance SMEs