Abstract

This study was intended to establish the relationship between empowerment and women
participation in community development in Lukuli and Kansanga parishes of Makindye
Division in Kampala. To achieve this, the empowerment and participation levels, differences
in empowerment and participation levels by demographic factors, and the relationship
between empowerment and women participation, were looked at. This study adopted a
descriptive correlation research design using a quantitative approach. A target population of
172 and a sample size of 84 were used. Choice of respondents was by purposive and simple
random sampling. To gather data, self-administered questionnaires and a face sheet were
used. During analysis, frequency and percentage distribution were used in relation to the
profile of respondents while the mean was used to compute both the levels of empowerment
and participation of respondents in community development. Pearson’s correlation
coefficient was used to establish the relationship between empowerment and women
participation in community development. Regarding level of empowerment, there was
averagely a satisfactory control over resources and most respondents owned land. However,
freedom of decision on income use was very low. Participation levels were highest in politics;
however freedom of choice of candidates in voting was very low. At household level,
participation was generally low (average mean=2.4) and most respondents did not take an
active role in household activities. In decision making, at least most respondents were
members of an administrative committee however, many did not attend meetings. There was
no significant difference in levels of empowerment of respondents by demographic factors
other than employment status. The study also showed no significant difference in levels of
participation of respondents by demographic factors. There was however a significant
relationship between empowerment and women participation. Conclusively, the study
rejected the first null hypothesis that “there is no significant relationship between
empowerment and women participation in community development; and the second null
hypothesis that “there is no significant difference in levels of empowerment by demographic
factors”. The third null hypothesis; that ‘there is no significant relationship in difference in
levels of participation by demographic factors” was accepted. The researcher recommended
that; NGOs and CBOs embark on sensitization programs that teach the essence of freedom in
relation to development; Faith leaders incorporate aspects of equality into their teachings;
Policy makers advocate for policies that directly enhance women economic statuses; and that
the government of Uganda, through the concerned ministries, improves the existing
education policies while paying more attention to educating more women country wide since
education enhances employment opportunities