Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction: A Case of Butaleja District Local Government in Uganda

Abstract ―​

This study investigates the relationship between leadership styles and job satisfaction among employees at Butaleja District Local Government. The study has three primary objectives: to determine the different leadership styles used in Butaleja District Local Government, to evaluate the impact of transformational leadership on job satisfaction among employees and to establish the relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used for this study. The target population consisted of 240 employees across various grade levels, with a sample size of 148 selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, including the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) for measuring job satisfaction and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) for assessing leadership styles. The data were analyzed using SPSS with a significance level of 95%. The study found a significant positive relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. Transformational leadership, which focuses on motivation, trust, and intellectual stimulation, was identified as the most effective leadership style for fostering employee commitment and job satisfaction. In contrast, transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles showed a weaker correlation with employee satisfaction. The study also found that demographic factors such as age, gender, and education level did not significantly affect leadership style preferences among employees. The study concludes that transformational leadership significantly enhances job satisfaction. Employees under transformational leaders felt more engaged and valued, which positively impacted their motivation and job performance. The findings suggest that transformational leadership is essential for improving employee morale, organizational commitment, and overall job satisfaction. Based on the study’s findings, Regular training programs should be implemented to develop transformational leadership skills at all levels of the local government. Establishing clear communication channels between management and staff will ensure those employees’ concerns are addressed, promoting a sense of inclusion and satisfaction.