Evaluation of the Ugandan Government’s Communication Strategies of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ayodeji O. Awobamise 1, Yosra Jarrar 2 * , Godswill Okiyi 3
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1 Kampala International University, UGANDA
2 American University in Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
3 Nasarrawa State University, NIGERIA
* Corresponding Author
Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, Volume 11, Issue 2, Article No: e202107. https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/10824
OPEN ACCESS   743 Views   475 Downloads   Published online: 03 Apr 2021
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ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the communication strategies employed by the Ugandan government in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a mixed method approach, including interviews, questionnaires and content analysis. A sample size of 400 was drawn for the survey, five community leaders and health workers were interviewed and 270 COVID-19 media reports were used for the content analysis. The findings showed that the government of Uganda did not engage in dialogue at the grassroots level. Secondly, it was found that the media generally reported on the spread of the virus and the number of daily deaths. However, the findings also showed that the media largely supported and complemented the government’s efforts. Finally, little or no effort was made to engage with communities before major preventive and protective measures were announced and enforced by the government. It was suggested that grassroots dialogue and community engagement must be carried out before major decisions are made by the government if they are to be effective in the future.
Keywords: COVID-19, risk communication, health communication, communication strategy

CITATION

Awobamise, A. O., Jarrar, Y., & Okiyi, G. (2021). Evaluation of the Ugandan Government’s Communication Strategies of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 11(2), e202107. https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/10824

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