Abstract:
Uganda Christian University – Mbale Campus is one of the higher learning institutions in Uganda whose major purpose is to train learners on how to carryout research, developing research policies and also providing solutions to address societal problems. The university policy of optionalisation of research by students seems to undermine the above mentioned purpose thus the need for the study. The main objective of this study was to examine the general issues that face the research department and how they relate to the various stakeholders. The study employed two research designs
namely descriptive and case study research design which provided a fair and intensive examination of research issues at UCU – Mbale Campus. The findings e challenges ranging from research policies, staff recruitment,
human resource development, staff motivation, and infrastructure, attitude towards research by staff learners and the community and lastly finance issues. Arising researchers recommended for the development of a research
policy with emphasis on staff recruitment, staff development strategies, research grants, research and publications, motivation strategies such as promotions, infrastructural improvement, non- optionalisation of research by all students and creation of a university consultancy firm.
