Exploring the Expansion of Military Role and Its Impact on Civil-Military Relations for Socio-Economic Transformation in Uganda

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has carried out several successful counterinsurgency operations and was prepared for further duties by the early 2000s. During this period, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) faced public scrutiny due to allegations of corruption and inefficiency, which negatively affected the country’s stability and agricultural development. In response, the government expanded the UPDF’s role to support these institutions in providing essential services. This civilian engagement was unprecedented for the UPDF, which faced institutional resistance and accusations of “militarising” the civil service. Using a rigorous exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, this study explores how the UPDF’s expanded role influences its relationship with civil authorities and the contribution of these joint efforts to Uganda’s sustainable development. The qualitative aspect of the study consisted of 40 interviews, whereas the quantitative survey gathered responses from 268 participants. These participants were selected using the Krejcie-Morgan table and were drawn from the headquarters of the agencies involved. Responses were analysed with NVivo, and survey data were processed through SPSS and various digital tools for validation. Results indicate that the government aimed to strengthen the capacity of these public institutions to deliver social services effectively with the support of the UPDF. Although initial cooperation was challenging, UPDF officers eventually integrated into these organisations through socialisation and shared organisational philosophy. 67.5% of UPF/NAADS respondents supported UPDF’s involvement, and 46.5% believed the military should maintain cooperation with civilian agencies. There is a statistically significant relationship between respondents’ experiences and their evaluations of the future of the interagency collaboration involving the UPDF. Additionally, the UPDF’s intervention was followed by notable improvements in law enforcement and agricultural growth. However, high levels of military support could lead to overdependence, while a lack of it risks civilian victimisation. The study recommends that policymakers evaluate the most suitable model for military involvement in civilian roles, with ongoing monitoring and assessment to ensure these joint efforts effectively support sustainable development.