Effective Implementation of Public Health and Social Measures in Uganda: Situational Analysis

Public health and social measures should respond to data about the growth of the epidemic and be implemented in a way that engages communities. Communities should be involved in helping to determine strategies for adapting measures to the local context, protecting livelihoods, and introducing appropriate relief measures to counteract the economic impact of these measures. The government should counter misinformation with appropriate risk communication and engage with communities to ensure voluntary adherence to COVID-19 response measures.

• According to reported cases, the growth rate of the epidemic in Uganda has been slow. The government has implemented strong measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, with the country in lockdown since the end of March. These measures are also reflected in a large decrease in population mobility since mid-March.
• Truck drivers carrying essential goods from port cities in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania prompted worry of increased spread of the disease. Extensive mandatory testing at border crossings has identified 25 cases among foreign truck drivers, but is resulting in lengthy delays to cross the border. Foreign drivers have protested a proposal that they hand over their trucks and cargo to Ugandan drivers at the border.
• A survey of adults in Kampala found that public support for and trust in the government remained relatively high, with 79% supporting the government response and 82% trusting government information about COVID-19.
• There is widespread belief in some rumors and myths about COVID-19, a number of which could offer a false sense of protection or put specific groups of people at risk due to stigma. Ugandans surveyed have low risk perceptions compared to other African Union Member States polled, with only two in three thinking that the epidemic would be a problem for the country and only one in three believing their personal risk of infection was high.
• The current lockdown has the potential to threaten livelihoods and have severe negative social and economic impact, particularly for poor households and informal workers such as market traders, food vendors, drivers of boda bodas (bicycle or motorcycle taxis), and others who cannot work due to regulations.
• Food security is a major concern, particularly given the desert locust invasion affecting the east and northeast of Uganda.