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
The concept of sin and forgiveness among the Jopadhola of Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-20) Kelebu, Moses
In this essay I investigate the knowledge and understanding of sin and forgiveness in the
Jopadhola people of Eastern Uganda as well as how traditional notions of sin and forgiveness
can intertwine with the theological teachings of Christianity. In what is an essay, it considers
how native cultural lenses make sense of moral failure, communal renewal, and reconciliation,
and in what ways they, and their imaginations, have been recalibrated in the historical light of
Christianity. From an African Traditional Religion/Christian theological perspective, the
research tries to shed light on what different systems of belief can and cannot align and how that
is made possible within a global framework. The study therefore adds to the larger debates in
African theology, contextual theology and moral theology on the interaction between culture and
Christian instruction. In this section we outline the literature review as well as the theoretical
framework for the study. In particular, it analyzes literature debates on African notions of sin,
forgiveness, reconciliation, and the relationship between Christianity and African Traditional
Religion. It also addresses the scholarship gaps related to the Jopadhola context and situates
relevant theories in the review of the literature. In this way, the chapter contextualizes the
findings of the current research within the wider academic discussion and establishes a
conceptual framework for the research.
A study of Mark 2:1-6: exorcism of physical illness from the spiritual World in Pentecostal churches of Bunia/DRC
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-17) Simbilyabo, Konduabo Desire
Grounded in Mark 2:1-6, this study explores how Pentecostal churches in Bunia/DRC,
understand physical illness as a manifestation of spiritual forces and address it
through exorcism. Since it was not possible to include all Pentecostal churches in
Bunia, the research was limited to city of Refuge, city of the Rest, FEPACO (Fraternité
Évangélique de Pentecôte en Afrique au Congo) and Christco (Christ in Congo).
This study employed both analytical and empirical methods. The analytical method
enabled the researcher to engage with scholars and recent related studies, while the
empirical method made it possible to observe the real practice of exorcism in
Pentecostal churches in Bunia.
The study had four objectives. First, it sought to exegete Mark 2:1-6 in order to
uncover the meaning and significance of the passage and to show how it may speak to
contemporary Christians in FEPACO, Christco, city of Refuge, and city of the Rest.
Second, it aimed to identify the forms of physical illness present in Pentecostal
churches in Bunia, and it found that these illnesses are numerous and varied. Third, it
analyzed the healing of physical illness through exorcism in Bunia’s Pentecostal
churches. The research showed that exorcism is often practiced alongside prayer,
water, anointing oil, fasting, and other methods. Finally, the study proposed Mark
2:1-6 as a model for healing physical illness through exorcism.
The study collected data from a purposive sample of 40 Pentecostal members drawn
from FEPACO, Christco, city of Refuge, and city of the Rest. In each church selected
for study, the participants including pastors, intercessors, and sick people or relatives
of sick people. Because the research was conducted in Bunia, Eastern Congo, while
the researcher was based in Mukono, Uganda for academic studies, the respondents
were interviewed through WhatsApp
Analyzing the Factors Responsible for the Decline of Spiritual Life of Students at the University. A Case Study Makerere University.
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-22) Samuel Kisakye
This study investigates the spiritual decline among undergraduate students at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda which is one of Africa's oldest and most prestigious Universities. Against the backdrop that Uganda is a deeply religious society, where 85% of youth identify with faith traditions, this research addresses a growing concern over diminishing spiritual engagement among university students, with chaplaincy reports indicating a 40% drop in spiritual participation by students' third year. These were previously spiritually active students. Employing a mixed methods research design, the study engaged 83 participants comprising undergraduate students (n=70), lecturers (n=5), and Christian/spiritual leaders (n=8) through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Thematic analysis of the data revealed seven principal factors contributing to spiritual decline: academic pressure (53% of students), technological distraction (49% of students; 88% of spiritual leaders), social influence and peer pressure, exposure to secular worldviews (100% of spiritual leaders), university freedom and self-discipline challenges (75% of spiritual leaders), perceived institutional support limitations, and reduced spiritual commitment. Notably, while 86% of students affirmed spirituality's emotional and moral value, only 29% integrated it into their academic decisions, suggesting a compartmentalization of faith. Lecturers and spiritual leaders looked at spirituality holistically as a formative force influencing
character, academic performance, mental health, and leadership capacity. The study identified structured mentorship and discipleship programs as the most strongly endorsed intervention (84% of students; 100% of lecturers and spiritual leaders), including offering more flexible spiritual activities, encouraging
the university and faith organizations to work together, incorporating ethics and values into academic courses, and making smart use of digital platforms to reach students where they already are. These findings contribute to the emerging conversation about spirituality in African universities, while
challenging the view that spiritual formation is outside the university's responsibility. The study offers practical recommendations: structured mentorship opportunities, flexible programming of spiritual activities, stronger university and faith groups partnerships, and thoughtful use of digital tools. Future
research should follow students over time to understand how their spiritual engagement changes, and should extend this work to other universities to see whether these findings hold beyond the Makerere context.
An exegetical analysis of Matthew 18:10–14 and its implications for the salvation of children in the Diocese of Kampala
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-08-03) Rebecca Kataate Kisakye
This dissertation examined Matthew 18:10-14 and its implications for the salvation of
children in the Diocese of Kampala. It was prompted by the observation that, although
children participate in the church programs, their place within God’s saving purpose is not
always clearly understood. In some church contexts, salvation is largely associated with
adults capable of making a conscious profession of faith, while ministry to children is often
limited to Bible stories and moral instruction. Against this background, the research sought to
explore the meaning of Matthew 18:10-14 concerning children’s salvation, examine
contemporary understandings and practices with in the Diocese of Kampala, and propose
biblically grounded strategies for strengthening children’s discipleship and spiritual
formation.
The study employed a qualitative exegetical theological and field research design. Matthew
18:10-14 was analyzed through grammatical- historical literature, lexical and theological
analysis. Field research involved forty-five respondents purposively selected from three
Church of Uganda parishes representing three archdeaconries of the Diocese of Kampala.
Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires and analysed. The
exegetical and field findings were integrated to evaluate the relationship between the biblical
text and the contemporary church practice.The study found that Matthew 18:10-14 present the “little ones” primarily children within the
immediate context, as persons valued by God and included within the Father’s saving
concern. The Shepherd’s pursuit of the wandering sheep and the Father’s Will that not one of
the “little ones” should perish demonstrate God’s intentional concern for their salvation. Field
findings also showed recognition of the importance of children’s discipleship, prayer,
mentorship, spiritual guidance and participation in church life. However, inadequate ministry
training limited resources, inconsistent discipleship structures and the reduction of children’s
ministry to moral instruction were identified as major challenges.
The study concludes that Matthew 18:10-14 provides a biblical and theological foundation
for recognizing children as genuine participants within God’s salvic plan rather than merely
future members of the church. The diocese of Kampala should therefore strengthen
theological understanding, intentional discipleship, pastoral care, family involvement
ministry training, and children’s participation in the church.
The Role of Small Groups in Promoting Holistic Development of the Church of Uganda: A Case Study on the Diocese of Kampala.
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-07-27) Partison Kamujisha
Small groups have historically been significant means through which the Church has nurtured spiritual growth, discipleship, fellowship, leadership development, and community outreach. In the Church of Uganda, however, many congregations continue to experience challenges in sustaining vibrant Christian fellowship, effective discipleship, and holistic ministry despite increasing church attendance. This study investigates the role of small groups in promoting the holistic development of the Church of Uganda, with particular reference to the Diocese of Kampala. The study aims to examine how small groups contribute to the spiritual, social, emotional and economic growth of church members and the wider church community. Specifically, it seeks to establish the contribution of small groups to discipleship and spiritual maturity, assess their role in fostering fellowship, pastoral care and economic
enhancement, identify the challenges affecting their effectiveness, and propose strategies for strengthening small-group ministry within the Diocese of Kampala. The study will adopt a quantitative case study design. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires and document analysis involving clergy, lay leaders, and members participating in small groups across selected parishes within the Diocese of Kampala. The collected data will be analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns, experiences, and perspectives regarding
the contribution of small groups to church development. The study is anchored in the biblical understanding of the early Church as portrayed in
Acts 2:42–47 and the theology of Christian fellowship (koinonia), discipleship, and vi servant leadership. It is anticipated that the findings will demonstrate that effective small groups significantly enhance spiritual formation, leadership development, pastoral care, evangelism, accountability, economic and community transformation, thereby contributing to the holistic development of the Church. The study will further identify institutional and contextual challenges that hinder the effectiveness of small- group ministries and recommend practical interventions for strengthening their implementation within the Diocese of Kampala and the wider Church of Uganda. The findings are expected to contribute to theological scholarship on discipleship and church growth while providing practical recommendations for church leaders, clergy, and ministry practitioners seeking to build vibrant, mission-oriented, and holistic Christian communities through small-group ministry.