UCU Digital Institutional Repository(UCUDIR)
Welcome to the Uganda Christian University Digital Institutional Repositoy (UCUDIR). This is the University's official Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of UCU. This growing collection of research includes peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, working papers, theses, and more.
- The Repository ingests documents, audio, video, datasets and their corresponding Dublin Core metadata
- The aim is to open up this content to local and global audiences, with have optimized well for Google Scholar so your items here shows up on Google Scholar searches
- we also issue permanent urls and trustworthy identifiers, including optional integrations with handle.net and DataCite DOI
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Communities in UCUDIR
Select a community to browse its collections.
- Items in this community present a concise summary of information that can help readers understand, and likely make decisions about, government policies.
- This is a collection of Masters and Doctoral theses and dissertations submitted in electronic format to the Uganda Christian University.
Recent Submissions
Assessing the consistency between pastors’ public ministry and their personal and family spiritual lives: a case of Mpenja archdeaconry, Central Buganda diocese
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-15) Bwanika, Michael Eric
This study examined the consistency between pastors’ public ministry and their personal and family spiritual lives within Mpenja Archdeaconry, Central Buganda Diocese. The study was guided by three objectives: to assess the extent of consistency between public ministry and private life, to identify factors contributing to discrepancies, and to propose strategies for promoting pastoral integrity. A qualitative case study design was employed, using semi-structured interviews to collect data from pastors, their spouses, and key informants. The data were analyzed thematically, guided by Transformational Leadership Theory, particularly the concept of idealized influence. The findings revealed that while pastors strongly emphasize spiritual values such as prayer, holiness, and faith in their public ministry, significant inconsistencies exist in their personal and family spiritual lives. Key factors contributing to these discrepancies include ministry workload, burnout, lack of accountability structures, cultural expectations, and family pressures. The study further identified practical and theological strategies for addressing these challenges, including strengthening personal spiritual discipline, promoting family-centered ministry, establishing accountability systems, and enhancing institutional support. The study concludes that pastoral integrity is a holistic reality requiring alignment between preaching and lived experience. It recommends a shift from performance-oriented ministry toward a more integrated and formation-centered approach to pastoral leadership.
The effect of financial management practices on the effectiveness of pastoral mission in North Ankole diocese
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-22) Nuwagaba, Samuel Baker
This study investigated and analyzed the effect of financial management practices on the effectiveness of pastoral mission in North Ankole Diocese, with the aim of identifying best practices and recommending strategies for improved financial stewardship that enhances pastoral impact and community service. The study was guided by three objectives: to assess the effect of existing financial management practices on the effectiveness of pastoral mission in North Ankole Diocese; to identify the challenges in financial management that affect the diocese’s ability to fulfill its pastoral mandate effectively; and to suggest strategies for improving financial management practices to enhance pastoral mission effectiveness in North Ankole Diocese.
The study employed a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between financial management practices and pastoral mission effectiveness. The main participants were clergy (ordained ministers) and members of the diocesan finance department, supplemented by a random sample of lay Christians. Data were collected from 80 respondents using structured questionnaires administered to 60 lay Christians, and semi-structured interview guides used with 20 key informants comprising 10 clergy and 10 finance staff. The study was conducted in North Ankole Diocese within Kiruhura and Kazo districts, covering the period 2015 to 2025. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages), and qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
The study found that financial management practices in North Ankole Diocese are characterized by significant deficits in transparency, accountability, and systematic support for pastoral mission activities, as evidenced by the majority of church members’ negative perceptions and the qualitative testimony of clergy and finance staff. The study further found that the most significant challenges are inadequate and irregular financial resources, poor financial planning and budgeting, and pervasive financial illiteracy among parish leadership. The study recommended that the diocese should establish a unified financial reporting and accountability framework covering all levels, institute a biannual mandatory Financial Management and Stewardship Training Programme for parish leadership, and develop a five-year Financial Management Transformation Strategy incorporating mobile money systems, revenue diversification, and a dedicated grants and resource mobilization function
The role of bible studies on church growth: a case study of St. Peter Kakoba church
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-08-24) Agaba, Charity Betty
This study investigated the role of Bible studies on Church growth with a case study of St. Peter Kakoba Church of Uganda, Ankole Diocese. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to assess the current state of Bible studies at St. Peter Kakoba Church; to assess the contribution of Bible studies to the growth of Christians at St. Peter Kakoba Church; and to examine the challenges faced by the Church in running Bible studies and propose strategies to
improve participation. The study utilized a qualitative research approach, collecting data through in-depth interviews with church leaders and questionnaires administered to Christians who both regularly attend and those who do not attend the mid-week Bible study programme. The study found that St. Peter Kakoba Church had a low and decreasing Bible study program attended by the majority of Christians who knew it exists. Most people affirmed that bible study
programs are theologially necessary for Christian development, growth and ability to distinguish right doctrine from error. They affirmed that there are several challenges contributing to this low attendance like being busy with work, the content perceived as irrelevant, weak and inconsistent promotion, bad timing and poor facilitation and that Christians who attended showed notable spiritual growth like increase in the Word of God knowledge, prayer life and in repelling false teachings. The study concluded that a Bible study program, which is well organized and intentionally facilitated, helps significantly in the spiritual and numerical growth of the Church. St. Peter Kakoba Church was encouraged to review its bible study curriculum, improve facilitation methods, establish an inviting environment for all age groups, create follow-up mechanisms and have an element of accountability for all who attend. The Church leadership was challenged to not take Bible study as an extracurricular activity but a pastoral priority, that so the people might grow in the Word of God.
Inclusive church-based evangelism among deaf persons in Kampala diocese, a case study of Silent church, St. Luke's Ntinda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-30) Kobusingye, Annette
This study investigated how church-based evangelism among deaf persons can be made more inclusive, using Silent Church at St. Luke’s, Ntinda, in the Diocese of Kampala, as a qualitative case study. Framed theologically by the imago Dei and the Pauline image of the Body of Christ, the study responded to the concern that, despite the Church’s theological commitment to proclaiming the Gospel to all people, deaf persons continue to experience marginalization within ecclesial life, worship, discipleship and evangelistic outreach. It was guided by three objectives: to examine the barriers that limit effective evangelistic outreach to deaf persons; to assess how clergy, deaf congregants, teachers, parents and missioner groups are engaged as human resources in inclusive evangelism; and to identify practical strategies for strengthening the participation of deaf persons in the Church’s Gospel ministry. Data were collected from sixty-one purposively selected participants, nine clergy, thirteen deaf congregants, five teachers, twenty-nine missioners and five parents through individual interviews and focus group discussions, and were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that deaf-inclusive evangelism is hindered not merely by inadequate sign-language interpretation, but by deeper cultural, theological and attitudinal barriers that devalue deaf persons and restrict their participation. Human resources for inclusive ministry existed but were insufficiently trained, poorly coordinated and not formally commissioned. Meaningful inclusion became possible where accessible communication, intentional resourcing, congregational sensitization, attitudinal transformation and the empowerment of deaf persons as active witnesses are deliberately pursued. The study concludes that deaf-inclusive evangelism is a theological and missional imperative, not a peripheral welfare concern, and recommends systematic sign-language training, the establishment of a dedicated deaf-ministry structure, the commissioning of deaf evangelists, and sustained congregational formation within the Diocese of Kampala.
Keywords: deaf ministry, inclusive evangelism, disability theology, sign language interpretation, imago Dei, Kampala Diocese.
Conflict resolution in the epistle to Philemon 1:8-21: implications for contemporary christian leadership
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-27) Kobusingye, Charity R
Conflict remains one of the most common challenges facing contemporary Christian leadership. Leadership struggles, interpersonal disagreements, discord, and succession battles often threaten unity within churches and Christian organisations. This study examined conflict resolution as advanced in the Pauline epistle of Philemon 1:8–21, it explores its implications for contemporary Christian leadership. The study was guided by four objectives: to examine the historical and literary background of the passage; to analyse the conflict between Philemon and Onesimus; to investigate the nature of conflict in contemporary Christian leadership; and to appropriate conflict-resolution principles from the text for present-day ministry. The study employed a qualitative research design and utilised the Tripolar Exegetical Model, which incorporates distantiation, contextualisation, and appropriation. This was historical, literary, rhetorical, and theological analysed. Further, it examined Paul's role in mediating the conflict between Philemon and Onesimus and the principles underlying his appeal for reconciliation. Findings revealed that Paul
approached conflict resolution through appeals for reconciliation, mediation, servant leadership, forgiveness, and the restoration of relationships. It was established that many conflicts fall within the confines of contemporary Christian leadership arising from leadership competition, communication breakdowns, misuse of authority, and relational tensions. The principles identified in Philemon 1:8–21, including, love based leadership, mediation, personal transformation,
voluntary reconciliation, forgiveness, Christian fellowship, accountability, and relationship restoration were found to offer valuable guidance for addressing such conflicts in a manner consistent with Christian values. The study concludes that effective Christian leadership requires a commitment to reconciliation, humility, dialogue, and relationship restoration. Philemon 1:8–21 provides a relevant Biblical framework that can contribute to healthier leadership practices and stronger Christian communities in contemporary contexts.