Youth involvement in political party and its influence on socioeconomic development: a case of Kampala district, Uganda

Abstract

This research aimed to explore the involvement of youth in political decision-making and its effects on Uganda’s socio-economic development, with a particular focus on Kampala District. It sought to assess the significance of youth representation in shaping the country’s future socioeconomic structure, examine the development of political leadership among young people, and analyze voter registration and participation trends. Youth make up a significant proportion of Uganda’s population, yet their political influence remains relatively limited. Despite their demographic strength, youth often face challenges such as unemployment, limited political mentorship, and restricted access to decision-making spaces. Kampala District, as the political and economic hub of Uganda, presents a critical case for assessing how youth engage with formal political processes, particularly given the increasing calls for inclusive governance and accountability. A cross-sectional research design was utilized to gather and analyze data from a specific population or representative sample at a given time. This design was appropriate for assessing attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes related to youth political participation. The study engaged 135 participants, including government officials, local council members, community and youth leaders, representatives from educational institutions, non-voters, registered voters, and NGO representatives. Using Slovin’s formula at a 5% margin of error, a sample of 100 respondents was selected to ensure a manageable and statistically reliable dataset. Participants were chosen using a stratified sampling technique to capture views from various stakeholder categories involved in or affected by youth political participation. Data collection was conducted using structured questionnaires that covered areas such as political awareness, involvement in party structures, access to civic education, and perceived impact on community development. Responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), allowing for correlation analysis between independent and dependent variables. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize findings, which were presented through tables, charts, and graphs for clarity. The study aimed to offer insights into the influence of youth political participation on Uganda’s socio-economic progress and proposed strategies to enhance youth engagement in governance. The analysis revealed a strong, statistically significant correlation between youth representation and socioeconomic development (r = 0.834, p = 0.000), and an even stronger correlation for youth access to political information and civic education (r = 0.937, p = 0.000). A moderately strong but statistically insignificant correlation (r = 0.732, p = 0.074) was found between youth political leadership development and development, suggesting the need for further investigation into long-term leadership cultivation mechanisms. The findings underscore the importance of integrating youth into political party structures and providing consistent civic education to empower their participation. Policymakers and civil society organizations are encouraged to invest in youth political education, mentorship programs, and inclusive party systems to harness the demographic dividend for Uganda’s development. Future studies may explore the barriers to youth political leadership and their participation at national versus local levels.