Dynamics of juvenile delinquency in cosmopolitan Rubaga Division of Kampala City

Abstract

The Government of Uganda has made verifiable strides towards protection of the rights of children as well as ensuring that they grow up to become responsible members of society. However, like the rest of the world, urbanization in Uganda has been dramatic over the last decade. The advent of people increasingly living in urban centers has given birth to new socio-economic dynamics, with the impacts being more profound and manifest among children. This study therefore set out to explore the Dynamics of Juvenile Delinquency in Cosmopolitan Rubaga Division of Kampala City and was carried out in Lubya Parish, in the local councils of Lubya, Bukulugi and Lugala. The specific objectives of the study included: 1) to examine the legal, policy and institutional premises governing efforts to combat juvenile delinquency, 2) to establish the causes of juvenile delinquency in cosmopolitan Rubaga Division, 3) to ascertain how juvenile delinquency affects peace in Rubaga Division, 4) to suggest strategies for combating juvenile delinquency in Rubaga Division and thereby contribute to peace in Rubaga Division and Kampala city in general. The exploratory and phenomenology research designs were employed by the researcher to obtain completeness. The study employed the exploratory research design because the phenomenon under investigation has not been exhaustively studied while the latter design was used because of the need for an in-depth understanding of deviant behavior of the juvenile delinquents were available. The study was based upon a sample of 60 participants that comprised of technical officers, parents, teachers, political leaders, police officers, juvenile delinquents and members of the public. Data was collected through observation, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and documentary review. Through qualitative data analysis, pertinent data was summarized after using interpretive techniques like coding and content analysis. The findings of this study revealed that Uganda has ratified and is a member state to international and regional bodies all geared towards; a) non-discrimination, b) devotion to the best interest of the child, c) the right to life, survival and d) development and respect for the views of the child. The well-being of children was linked to the Convention on the Rights of Children, SDGs 3, 4 and 10. Cosmopolitan Rubaga Division of Kampala City and all its entities have made efforts to direct their activities and programmes towards efforts to deal with juvenile delinquency aligned ingovernment policy and institutional framework like the Kampala Capital City Authority Integrated Development Strategy 2020/21-2024/25 and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social xii Development. The study found out that causes of juvenile delinquency in Rubaga Division include among others; weak legal policies and institutional framework, substance abuse, social media, poverty, and dysfunctional correctional systems. Basing on the findings and study objectives, the efforts of dealing with juvenile delinquency in Rubaga Division found leverage in a robust legal, policy and regulatory as well the institutional framework cascaded in a funnel shape i.e. from international to local context. The study concluded that a continuum of factors both social and economic were responsible for the prevalence of juvenile delinquency in Rubaga Division. The recommendations indicate that juvenile delinquency would be best handled multi-dimensionally and these all intended to promote the rights of children as well as improving their upbringing.