Character Development and Community Development in Rural Areas in Lwajje Sub-County, Buvuma District, Uganda. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64792/heg0ts84Keywords:
Character development, Community development, Lwajje Sub-County, Buvuma DistrictAbstract
Background:
Character development refers to the process of nurturing positive moral values and ethical behaviours such as honesty, responsibility, respect, integrity, and self-discipline. The study aims to examine the relationship between character development and community development in Lwajje Sub-County, Buvuma District.
Methodology:
A mixed-methods approach was utilised, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Quantitative methods involved structured questionnaires to gather Qualitative data collected through interviews and documentary review were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results:
Female respondents (53.7%) slightly outnumbered male respondents (46.3%). The majority of respondents selected Agree or Strongly Agree, with combined agreement levels ranging from 56% to 72%. Discipline and role modelling: Responses regarding discipline enforcement (Mean = 3.41) show a more divided pattern, with only about 61.4% agreement. Parents acting as role models (Mean = 3.48) attracted moderate agreement (62.8%). Responsibility, obedience, and moral guidance: The statement on taking responsibility for actions recorded a relatively lower mean (3.37), with about 58.6% agreement. Obedience in households showed stronger results (Mean = 3.66; about 69.3% agreement), reflecting continued emphasis on traditional authority structures within families. Self-control among youth (Mean = 3.33) and discouraging antisocial behaviour (Mean = 3.38) showed moderate agreement levels (around 55–57%). Values transmission and positive behaviour: Positive results were observed in areas such as hard work (Mean = 3.58), kindness and empathy (Mean = 3.52), and moral value transmission (Mean = 3.46), with agreement levels generally above 63%.
Conclusion:
Households that promote moral values such as honesty, respect, responsibility, and self-discipline contribute positively to improved community participation, cooperation, and social cohesion. Character development within households is a key foundation for strengthening community development outcomes in Lwajje Sub-County.
Recommendations:
Households should intentionally strengthen moral upbringing by consistently teaching values such as honesty, respect, responsibility, and self-discipline.
References
1. Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice-Hall.
2. Lickona, T. (2019). Educating for character. Bantam Books.
3. Nambozo, T. (2024). Adult literacy decline and rural productivity constraints. African Education and Society Review, 7(4), 45–63.
4. Nsamenang, A. B. (2020). Cultures of human development in Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 74, 102–115.
5. Ntuli, F., & Arends, J. (2010). Life skills needs of youth. Journal of Human Ecology, 32(3), 181–189.
6. Okurut, F., & Bategeka, L. (2022). Community participation and development outcomes. African Development Review, 34(2), 210–225.
7. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2021). Reimagining our futures together.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Florence Nanyanzi Kabanda, Dr. Doreen Akunda, Edmand Bakashaba (Author)
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