Salary and employee performance in Isingiro District Local Government. A cross-sectional study.

Authors

  • Fulgence Twinomugisha Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Bishop Stuart University Author
  • Dr. Johnson Atwiine Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Bishop Stuart University Author
  • Ms. Juliet Kembabazi Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Bishop Stuart University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64792/x1e16e36

Keywords:

Salary, employee performance, Employee motivation, Job satisfaction, Local government, Financial incentives

Abstract

Background

The study aimed to establish the influence of salary on employee performance in Isingiro District Local Government.

 

Methodology

The study adopted a cross-sectional mixed-methods research design, incorporating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population comprised 232 staff of Isingiro District Local Government, from whom 144 respondents were selected using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, descriptive statistics, and Pearson correlation, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and through content analysis.

 

Results

Analysis was based on 117 completed responses. Age distribution showed 42 respondents (35.9%) aged 40-49 years, 33 (28.2%) aged 50 years and above, and 21 (17.9%) each aged below 30 and 30–39 years. Salary attracted and retained skilled employees (M=4.38, SD=.763), improved job satisfaction and wellbeing (M=4.28, SD=.829), encouraged skills development (M=4.38, SD=.808), reduced distraction from financial concerns (M=4.32, SD=.806), and linked performance with incentives (M=4.42, SD=.768). Thematic findings emphasized motivation, perceived salary fairness, retention, non-monetary benefits, and limited salary budgets. Pearson correlation established a strong positive, statistically significant relationship between salary and employee performance (r=.618, p=.000, N=117), indicating that higher salary was associated with better performance. Overall, salary influenced employee performance through motivation, satisfaction, retention, concentration, professional development, and performance-related incentives.

 

Conclusion

Salary was found to have a strong and consistently positive influence on employee performance across the study findings.

 

Recommendation

The District Local Government should implement performance-based salary enhancement mechanisms that appropriately recognize and reward employees for improved performance.

Author Biographies

  • Fulgence Twinomugisha, Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Bishop Stuart University

    a student pursuing a masters degree of arts in public   administration and management at Bishop Stuart University

  • Dr. Johnson Atwiine, Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Bishop Stuart University

    research supervisor at Bishop Stuart University.

  • Ms. Juliet Kembabazi, Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Bishop Stuart University

    research supervisor at Bishop Stuart University.

References

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Published

2026-09-21

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2026): July 2026 Issue

Section

Business, Economics, and Management

License

Copyright (c) 2026 FULGENCE TWINOMUGISHA, Dr.Atwiine Johnson, Ms Kembabazi Juliet (Author)

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How to Cite

Salary and employee performance in Isingiro District Local Government. A cross-sectional study. (2026). East African Journal of Research and Innovation, 2(3), 11. https://doi.org/10.64792/x1e16e36

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