Security Agencies’ Strategies and Prevention of Electoral Violence: A Case of Isingiro District

Electoral violence remains a major challenge to democratic governance, political stability, and citizen participation in Uganda, particularly in districts experiencing intense political competition. This study examined the relationship between security agencies’ strategies and the prevention of electoral violence in Isingiro District, Uganda. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between training and capacity, community engagement, intelligence gathering, enforcement and response strategies, and the prevention of electoral violence. The study was guided by Routine Activity Theory and Community Policing Theory and adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design under the pragmatist paradigm. A sample of 188 respondents was selected from a target population of 351 participants. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 30 through Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative data were obtained through key informant interviews and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti. The findings revealed positive and statistically significant relationships between training and capacity and prevention of electoral violence (r = 0.624, p < 0.01), community engagement and prevention of electoral violence (r = 0.681, p < 0.01), intelligence gathering and prevention of electoral violence (r = 0.734, p < 0.01), and enforcement and response and prevention of electoral violence (r = 0.658, p < 0.01). Intelligence gathering emerged as the strongest predictor of prevention of electoral violence. Qualitative findings further indicated that early warning systems, community collaboration, visible security deployment, and continuous professional training enhance the ability of security agencies to identify electoral threats, intervene proactively, and maintain peace during electoral periods. However, respondents identified challenges such as limited operational resources, political tensions, misinformation, and logistical constraints as factors affecting the effectiveness of security interventions. The study concluded that security agencies’ strategies significantly contribute to the prevention of electoral violence in Isingiro District. It further concluded that proactive intelligence-led operations, effective community engagement, continuous capacity building, and professional enforcement mechanisms are essential for sustainable electoral peace, with intelligence gathering being the most influential strategy in reducing electoral violence. The study recommends strengthening intelligence systems, enhancing community-security partnerships, increasing investment in security training and logistics, and improving coordination among electoral security stakeholders.

Security agencies’ strategies, electoral violence, intelligence gathering, community engagement, enforcement and response, electoral security, Isingiro District, Uganda.

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