Private security companies and enhancement of public security in Uganda: a case of KK security company.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between private security companies and enhancement of public security in Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda. The specific objectives were to: determine the perceptions of the clients towards the private security companies have of their role in terms of providing public security in the Kampala metropolitan area, identify challenges facing private security companies in providing security services in the Kampala metropolitan area, and analyze the strategies needed to be taken so as ensure that the private security companies maintain security status of the public in the Kampala metropolitan area. The study based on cross sectional survey methodology and used questionnaires a quantitative tool to collect data from a total target population of 158 respondents. These included; 28 police officers, 60 KK Security guards, 50 KK Security Company clients, and 30 KK security company administrators. The findings revealed that there was strong significant effect of the perceptions of clients towards the PSCs role in terms of providing public security on presence of public security at 5% (P=0.000, F=61.437). There was also strong significant impact of challenges facing PSCs in providing security services on presence of public security at 5% (P=0.000, F=132.768). Finally, there was also strong significant effects of the strategies needed to be taken so as ensures that the PSCs maintain security status of the public at 5% (P=0.000, F=92.131). The study concluded that generally, PSCs have a significant impact on enhancement of public security. Therefore, the study recommended that Private security companies should invest in employee training in order to enhance employee capacity. Moreover, the PSCs should also have effective and efficient human resource plans that will ensure that private security personnel handle the predicament of security guards as well as disciplinary procedures to manage dishonest employees who collude to commit fraud