By Eriah Lule
Uganda Christian University (UCU) recently conducted child-centered research in Mukono District secondary schools. The study was carried out under the auspices of the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Partnership.
The research, titled ‘Contextual Factors for Peer Victimization of High School Students in Mukono District,’ led by Dr. Gooreka Okahaabwa, the principal investigator, and her team from UCU, aimed to assess the prevalence of peer victimization among secondary school students in the sample study area.
The research findings revealed that emotional peer victimization was more prevalent among girls, while physical victimization was more commonly reported among boys. Theft was found to be a common form of peer victimization on both sides.
The research also highlighted that families, communities, and the school environment were influential in shaping students’ perceptions of peer victimization, both as promoters and sources of support.
Associate Professor Elizabeth Kukunda Bachwayo, the Director of Postgraduate Studies and mentor for the research, emphasized that UCU is committed to child-focused research to provide evidence for policy-making related to children. She further shared that UCU is collaborating with other universities to influence child-related policies at the national level through research.
“This team did a good job and learned a lot; they are going to integrate the knowledge they have acquired into their teaching and their careers,” she said. “This is killing two birds with one stone; we are blessed.”
The research was supported by a grant from AfriChild, a multi-disciplinary research organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of African children by providing evidence-based research and reports to policymakers.
John Bosco Opoto, the research coordinator at AfriChild, highlighted that they have been conducting an inter-university training program for middle-level researchers since 2017, with the second cohort completing their training in 2022.
Opoto expressed pride in the program, as it exposes researchers to various opportunities that contribute to their career development.
“We are proud of this program because it exposes researchers to a lot of things that help them push further in their careers,” he said.
Dickson Tumuramye, a participant from both the first and second cohorts of AfriChild’s training program, acknowledged the invaluable learning experience from facilitators from around the world during the training. He also emphasized that fieldwork exposed him to new knowledge and the opportunity to work with senior researchers, allowing for valuable learning opportunities.
The information was disclosed during a research dissemination workshop held at UCU’s Principal Hall. The collaboration between UCU and AfriChild highlights the commitment to child-focused research and evidence-based policymaking to promote the well-being of children in Uganda.
