Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Mar 5;16(1):697.
doi: 10.4102/jphia.v16i1.697. eCollection 2025.

Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives

Moses Ocan  1 , Josephine Bayigga  2 , Adelline Twimukye  2 , Hellen Nansiiro  3 , Daphine Sanger  4 , Mordecai Tayebwa  3 , Boniconsilli Tusiime  3 , Maureen Katusiime  5 , Daniel Kyabayinze  6 , Benon Kwesiga  6 , Henry K Bosa  7 , Leah Mbabazi  2 , Tonny Muwonge  2 , Brenda N Simbwa  8 , Francis Kakooza  2 , Mosoka P Fallah  9 , Alex R Ario  8
Affiliations

Implications of COVID-19 pandemic and response approaches in Uganda: Stakeholder perspectives

Moses Ocan et al. J Public Health Afr. .

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted health systems worldwide.

Aim: This study explored the effects of the COVID-19 cascade on health programmes in Uganda.

Setting: This study conducted in-depth interviews with key informants involved in Uganda's national COVID-19 response.

Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study using qualitative approaches was carried out. A purposive sample of 30 key informants from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and implementing partners were interviewed (May 2023 - June 2023). Interviews were audio recorded and analysed using inductive thematic analysis with NVivo 14 software.

Results: Four themes emerged: (1) approaches and opportunities for successful COVID-19 response, (2) negative impacts of the pandemic on health services, (3) barriers to implementing response strategies and (4) suggestions for preparedness for future epidemics.

Conclusion: While the pandemic disrupted health programmes and access to care, it also revealed opportunities to strengthen healthcare delivery. Strengthening the dedicated Ministry of Health department for epidemic preparedness and response is recommended.

Contribution: This study identifies areas for improvement in Uganda's health system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It informs public health preparedness efforts in Uganda and other African countries, aligning with the Journal's focus on strengthening health systems in Africa.

Keywords: COVID-19; Uganda; implication; key stakeholder; pandemic.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The author reported that they received funding from the implementation science pillar of the Saving Lives and Livelihood programme, an initiative between Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation. The implementation science pillar was sub-granted through the Infectious Diseases Institute-Makerere University (IDI), thus funds were managed by the Makerere College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), which may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed publication. The author has disclosed those interests fully and has implemented an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from their involvement. The terms of these funding arrangements have been reviewed and approved by the affiliated University in accordance with its policy on objectivity in research. The author, A.R.A., serves as an editorial board member of this journal. The peer review process for this submission was handled independently, and the author had no involvement in the editorial decision-making process for this manuscript. The author has no other competing interests to declare.

References

    1. Organization WH. WHO director-general’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 11 March 2020 [homepage on the Internet]. World Health Organization; 2020. [cited 2024 Jan 24]. Available from: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-genera...
    1. Ministry of Health . Coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 [homepage on the Internet]. 2020. [cited 2024 Jan 19]. Ministry of Health COVID-19 response documentary. Available from: https://www.health.go.ug/cause/national-guidelines-for-management-of-cov...
    1. Uganda confirms first COVID-19 case [press release]. Kampala: Ministry of Health, Uganda; 2020. [cited 2020 Mar 21]. Available from: https://www.health.go.ug/document/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-case-conf...
    1. Siche R. What is the impact of COVID-19 disease on agriculture?. Sci Agropecu. 2020;11(1):3–6. 10.17268/sci.agropecu.2020.01.00 - DOI
    1. Tarkar P. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on education system. Int. J. Adv. Sci. Technol. 2020;29(9):3812–3814.

LinkOut - more resources