Title: The Voice of the Voiceless: When Will the Voice Voice Its Concerns? - A Case Study of Uganda
Authors: Dr. Mategeko Betty, Ahumuza Audrey, Dr. Twinomujuni Rosebell
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Pages: 114-121
Publication Date: 2026/05/28
Abstract:
This study examined the determinants of civic voice among marginalized communities in Uganda, under the thematic framework - The Voice of the Voiceless: When Will the Voice Voice Its Concerns? Drawing on a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 400 respondents across five Ugandan districts - Kampala, Wakiso, Gulu, Mbarara, and Mbale - using stratified random sampling. The study employed a triangulated analytical strategy comprising univariate descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation and chi-square analysis, multiple linear regression, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to examine the relationships among structural barriers, empowerment resources, institutional trust, and the Civic Voice Index (CVI). Findings revealed that access to information (?* = 0.334, p < 0.001), education level (?* = 0.289, p < 0.001), and economic empowerment (?* = 0.214, p < 0.001) were the strongest positive predictors of civic voice, while fear of reprisal exerted the most significant suppressive effect (?* = ?0.274, p < 0.001). The SEM results confirmed that empowerment resources were the strongest direct driver of civic voice (? = 0.487, p < 0.001), and that institutional trust partially mediated the relationship between empowerment and civic voice (indirect ? = 0.193, p < 0.001). The composite CVI mean of 2.76 out of 5.00 indicated a persistently low level of civic engagement, reflecting a pervasive culture of silence rooted in structural exclusion, institutional distrust, and socio-economic vulnerability. The study concludes that fostering meaningful civic participation in Uganda requires coordinated, multi-sectoral interventions targeting information access, institutional accountability, and grassroots economic empowerment. Policymakers, civil society organisations, and development partners are urged to co-design participatory platforms that lower the barriers to civic expression and rebuild the trust between citizens and governance institutions.