Civic engagement and citizen participation among voters, a case study of Naweyo sub-county Butaleja district.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between civic engagement and citizen participation among voters in Naweyo Sub County, Butaleja District, Uganda. Citizen participation is widely recognized as a cornerstone of democratic governance; however, it remains inconsistent and limited in many communities, particularly in developing regions such as Uganda. Despite the presence of civic engagement initiatives including voter education campaigns, community meetings, and civic awareness programs, citizen involvement in governance processes beyond election periods remains low in Butaleja District. The study was guided by the Civic Voluntarism Model developed by Verba, Schlozman, and Brady (2021), which explains that citizen participation is influenced by resources, psychological engagement, and recruitment networks. Civic engagement is conceptualized through two key dimensions: attitude and behavior. “Attitude” refers to citizens' beliefs, perceptions, trust, and commitment toward civic responsibilities and governance processes, while “behavior” refers to the observable actions undertaken by citizens in civic and community affairs. The study employed a cross-sectional research design with a quantitative approach. The study population consists of homesteads in Naweyo Sub County, from which a sample of 56 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected through structured questionnaires designed on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations, and frequencies, as well as Pearson correlation analysis, were used to analyze the data using SPSS Version 27. The study expected to establish a positive and significant relationship between civic engagement (attitude and behavior) and citizen participation among voters. It is anticipated that citizens with positive civic attitudes and active civic behaviors demonstrated higher levels of participation in governance processes, including voting, decision-making, and public consultations. The findings of this study expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers, civil society organizations, and local government authorities in designing effective civic engagement strategies that promote sustained citizen participation in governance and development processes.
Keywords: This study examined the relationship between civic engagement and citizen participation among voters in Naweyo Sub County, Butaleja District, Uganda. Citizen participation is widely recognized as a cornerstone of democratic governance; however, it remains inconsistent and limited in many communities, particularly in developing regions such as Uganda. Despite the presence of civic engagement initiatives including voter education campaigns, community meetings, and civic awareness programs, citizen involvement in governance processes beyond election periods remains low in Butaleja District. The study was guided by the Civic Voluntarism Model developed by Verba, Schlozman, and Brady (2021), which explains that citizen participation is influenced by resources, psychological engagement, and recruitment networks. Civic engagement is conceptualized through two key dimensions: attitude and behavior. “Attitude” refers to citizens' beliefs, perceptions, trust, and commitment toward civic responsibilities and governance processes, while “behavior” refers to the observable actions undertaken by citizens in civic and community affairs. The study employed a cross-sectional research design with a quantitative approach. The study population consists of homesteads in Naweyo Sub County, from which a sample of 56 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected through structured questionnaires designed on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations, and frequencies, as well as Pearson correlation analysis, were used to analyze the data using SPSS Version 27. The study expected to establish a positive and significant relationship between civic engagement (attitude and behavior) and citizen participation among voters. It is anticipated that citizens with positive civic attitudes and active civic behaviors demonstrated higher levels of participation in governance processes, including voting, decision-making, and public consultations. The findings of this study expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers, civil society organizations, and local government authorities in designing effective civic engagement strategies that promote sustained citizen participation in governance and development processes.
Keywords: This study examined the relationship between civic engagement and citizen participation among voters in Naweyo Sub County, Butaleja District, Uganda. Citizen participation is widely recognized as a cornerstone of democratic governance; however, it remains inconsistent and limited in many communities, particularly in developing regions such as Uganda. Despite the presence of civic engagement initiatives including voter education campaigns, community meetings, and civic awareness programs, citizen involvement in governance processes beyond election periods remains low in Butaleja District. The study was guided by the Civic Voluntarism Model developed by Verba, Schlozman, and Brady (2021), which explains that citizen participation is influenced by resources, psychological engagement, and recruitment networks. Civic engagement is conceptualized through two key dimensions: attitude and behavior. “Attitude” refers to citizens' beliefs, perceptions, trust, and commitment toward civic responsibilities and governance processes, while “behavior” refers to the observable actions undertaken by citizens in civic and community affairs. The study employed a cross-sectional research design with a quantitative approach. The study population consists of homesteads in Naweyo Sub-County, from which a sample of 56 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected through structured questionnaires designed on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations, and frequencies, as well as Pearson correlation analysis, were used to analyze the data using SPSS Version 27. The study expected to establish a positive and significant relationship between civic engagement (attitude and behavior) and citizen participation among voters. It is anticipated that citizens with positive civic attitudes and active civic behaviors demonstrated higher levels of participation in governance processes, including voting, decision-making, and public consultations. The findings of this study expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers, civil society organizations, and local government authorities in designing effective civic engagement strategies that promote sustained citizen participation in governance and development processes.
Keywords: Naweyo sub-county, civic engagement, citizen participation, voters, Butaleja district
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Awori, E. M. (2026). Civic engagement and citizen participation among voters, a case study of Naweyo sub-county Butaleja district. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.