This survey was conducted online in Uganda using Facebook and Twitter to understand how Ugandans receive information about COVID-19. Most respondents were male (72.4%), with an average age of 33. Kampala had the highest response rate at 37.2%. The top sources of COVID-19 information were social media (41%) and TV (24.4%). While 90.2% knew about government SOPs, responses indicated messaging could be clearer if translated to local languages and disseminated through more channels like local leaders. Respondents found the information generally informative but wanted more assurance through hope, prevention/care details, and consistent truthful updates.

1. MOH COVID 19
ONLINE RESEARCH
MAY 2020

2. INTRODUCTION:
This survey was conducted online, targeting the geo
boundaries of Uganda using Social Media, particularly
Facebook & Twitter users.
We assume that the data will be skewed towards
online communication, as a result of the media used to
receive submissions for the survey.

3. Average Age 33 Years
DEMOGRAPHICS OF
SUBMISSIONS
234
Completed the survey
Female (27.4%)
Male (72.4%)

4. DEMOGRAPHICS OF
SUBMISSIONS
37.20%
19.70%
6.00%
3.40%
2.10%
1.70%
29.90%
0% 18% 35% 53%
Kampala
Wakiso
Mukono
Kanungu
Mbarara
Jinja
others
UsersLocations of respondents

5. SURVEY QUESTIONS

6. Where do you go to obtain information on COVID-19?
24.40%
4.70%
1.30%
1.30%
5.60%
41.0%
21.70%
TV
Radio
Newspapers
SMS
MOH Website
Social Media
Online Publications

7. How did you receive Ministry of Health information
on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19?
30.30%
6.80%
1.70%
2.60%
5.60%
33.8%
19.00%
TV
Radio
Newspapers
SMS
MOH Website
Social Media
Online Publications

8. Do you know about Governments standard
operating procedures for COVID-19?
Do you know about
Governments standard
operating procedures for
COVID-19?
No (8.8%)
Yes (90.2%)

9. Where did you learn about the Government-mandated
Standard Operating Procedures?
39.70%
8.50%
1.70%
0.90%
6.40%
25.2%
17.60%
TV
Radio
Newspapers
SMS
MOH Website
Social Media
Online Publications

10. Where do you go to receive the latest COVID-19 updates?
20.10%
3.80%
2.60%
0.40%
9.80%
42.6%
20.60%
TV
Radio
Newspapers
SMS
MOH Website
Social Media
Online Publications

11. How clear did you find the COVID-19 messaging
from the government of Uganda?
44.0%
12.0%11.5%10.3%
5.1%
8.1%
4.7%
1.3%1.7%1.3%
10987654321
Clear Very ClearNot ClearNot Clear
at all

12. What should be done to make it clearer?
Use simpler terms
Use of known figures
Translation in local language
To receive updates every 12hrs
Use more online tools
IT SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED IN THE LOCAL LANGAUAGE
Hire social media influencers
Translation
its clear
Send specialists to speak in local languages. Make information in local news

13. What should be done to make it clearer?
It's okay
Stop corruption
Translation
SMS alerts of cases in my area
Weekly updates on all TV's and radios
Make the messages simpler for the ordinary Ugandan
Keep communication flow
To stay away from mixing politics in it
Visuals
Run the message before and after the bulletin

14. What should be done to make it clearer?
Should be informed in different local languages
May be the government can get people to move around on drives to educate people more
about the pandemic more so in villages
Mass sensitization mostly in rural areas
Avail the prescription to every hospital and uplift lock down!! Start with uplifting higher levels of
education and emphasize emphasis to keep safe.. Their response will influence the younger
ones
Elaborate basing on the age bracket context
Massive community sensitization of door to door communication
Well I think government should ease...the Ott for a wail coz many youth use social media
Create a budget for radio translations so that when the president addressing the nation the
presenters translate in the local language ess
Be more precise and outline points out more clearly.

15. What should be done to make it clearer?
Frequent Updates
Use local council leaders, religious leaders and village health teams
Stay home,wash hands with soap and water,avoid touching MEN.
Use of my local language
People should be informed about the Testing centres
They should be more precise and practical. Social distance of four meters is not practical.
Local leaders should reach out to the people and sensitize them the more in their local
languages
Using specific language
train trainer to train people at house, hold, level and also make posters
Translate the messages to RR

16. How informative did you find the COVID-19 messaging?
40.6%
13.7%
11.5%12.8%
8.5%
4.3%4.3%
1.3%1.3%1.7%
10987654321
Informative Very informativeNot informativeNot informative
at all

17. Do you believe the government is communicating
and updating consistently?
68.80%
12.00%
11.10%
8.10%
Government communication is
consistent
There is not enough government
communication
Government communication is
sporadic
There is too much government
communication

18. How assuring did you find the COVID-19 messaging?
34.6%
12.4%
14.5%
10.3%9.4%
12.0%
1.7%1.7%0.4%
3.0%
10987654321
Assuring Very AssuringNot AssuringNot Assuring
at all

19. What should be said to leave you with a greater
sense of assurance?
Messages of Hope
Truck drivers should get immediate results
Stop truck drivers
Use of known figures
Message of hope
Truthfulness
The right thing
INCLUDE EXTREME DANGERS
Advise people to wear masks in public
Truck Drivers is a problem
More sensitization needed in all languages

20. What should be said to leave you with a greater
sense of assurance?
Preventative mechanisms
Showz how quarantined people are taken care of
That we can go back to work normally, amidst this pandemic
Treatment is available and free
Not extending lockdown
Process should be don't countrywide
more local sensitization
When lock down is ending
The real number of Covid 19 cases
Standardise health facilities
Give people Hope!!

21. What should be said to leave you with a greater
sense of assurance?
Extend lockdown. Cancel school till next year
Becuse of there is siencific eveidence
Better statistics and more data required to backup communication
Countinous sentization
If we keep safe,we shall conqure this Covid19
Positive stories need to be published as well .
It's curable if detected early
No deaths related to COVID-19 yet in Uganda
New information through research about covid
Getting the antidote
Break down the block messaging by WHO & MoH
selective information rendering

22. What should be said to leave you with a greater
sense of assurance?
That the lockdown will be eased
Stop the truck drivers
Accountability
Level of preparedness of our hospitals
Progress of lock down
Make the sound better
Emphasising handwashing ,social distancing
employment will resume
There's a gap on the information about truck drivers... Their tracking process isn't clear to us
Totally closing the boarders
Elaborate more on Corona virus
Vaccine and mass testing

23. What should be said to leave you with a greater
sense of assurance?
Continue to repeat the message until people get the message.
Tell the truth on death cases
Use social media
Find a away of making a local person understand
Leaders
Be introduced in phases as immerging issues occur
Send protective measures.
Interception at household level
Close to the cure
The message don't give convincing information on the future
Increased tracing testing and follow up.
By providing the neccessary equipments
If there are vaccines