MASS MEDIA AND PREVENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN ARMED CONFLICT ZONES IN UGANDA; A CASE STUDY OF RED PEPPER PUBLICATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

TABLE OF CONTENT vi

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF ACRONYMS x

ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1 .0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background 1

1 .2 Problem srntement 3

1 .3 General objective 3

1.3.1 Specific objectives 3

1.3.2 Research questions 3

1.4 Scope of the study 4

1.4.l Geographical scope 4

1.4.2 Subject scope 4

1.4.3 Time scope 4

1.5 Significance of the study 4

1.6 Concepual framework 5

1.7 Definition of key terms 6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction 7

2.1 Causes of armed conflicts in Uganda 7

2.2 Forms of human rights abuses in conflict zones 10

2.3 Challeges encountered to promote human rights 13

2.4 Role of mass media in prevention of armed conflicts 16

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.0 introduction 18

3.1 Research Design 18

3.2 Study Population 18

3.3 Sample size 18

3.4 Sampling technique and procedure 19

3.4.1 Probability sampling 19

3.4.2 Non Probability sampling 19

3.5 Datasource 20

3.5.1 Primary data 20

3.5.2 Secondary data 20

3.6 Data Collection Methods 20

3.7 Data Collection Instruments 21

3.7.1 Questionnaire 21

3.7.2 Interview Guide 21

3.7.3 Documentary Review Check List 21

3.8 Quality Control 22

3.8.1 Validity .22

3.8.2 Reliability 22

3.9 Measurement of variables 23

3.10 Data processing and Analysis 23.

3.10.1 Quantitative Data Analysis 23

3.10.2 Qualitative Data Analysis 23.

3.11 Ethical issues 23.

3. 1 2 Anticipated Limitations and solutions of the study 24

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS 25

4.0 Introduction 25

4.1 Presentation and interpretation of the data 25

4.2 Discussion of the findings 34

4.2.1 The causes of armed conflicts in South Sudan 34

4.2.2 Forms of human rights abuses in conflict zones 35

4.2.3 Challenges encountered to promote human rights 37

4.2.4 Role of mass media in prevention of armed conflicts 38

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 39

5.0 Introduction 39

5.1 Summary of the findings 39

5.2 Conclusion 41

5.3 Recommendations 42

5.4 Areas for further research .43

REFERENCES 44

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Questionnaire for the respondents 46

SECTION A: Bio-data of the respondents 46

SECTION B: causes of armed conflicts in Uganda 47

SECTION C: Forms of human rights abuses in armed conflict zones 48

SECTION D: Challenges encountered in solving armed conflicts 49

APPENDIX B: Interview guide 50

ABSTRACT 

The study set out to investigate the role of mass media in prevention of armed conflicts in Uganda. The study had four objectives: to examine the causes of armed conflicts in Uganda, to examine the forms of human rights abuses in armed conflict, to examine the challenges encountered in ensuring human rights in armed conflict, to examine the role of mass media in preventing armed conflicts in Uganda A case study design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used in the study that involved a sample of 50 respondents drawn from a study population of 100 respondents among the internally displaced persons and victims of armed conflict from Northern and Western Uganda. The researcher used a time frame of the study which was cross section. The findings from the study revealed that most armed conflict violates human rights. However, the study showed a highly positive relationship between armed conflict and human rights promotion since armed conflicts violate human rights. The study revealed various forms of human rights violation in war zones which included Genocide and massacre, Sexual violence, War crimes, Torture and detention, Child soldier, Forced Displacement, Destruction of property Conclusively, the researcher found out that mass media has a positive relationship with armed conflict prevention. Therefore, as a recommendation to the Human Rights Watch is that they should employ strategic policies of promoting human rights and mitigating armed conflict.