A survey conducted by Whitehead Communications in July 2020.
Uganda registered its first case of Covid-19 on March 21, 2020, and instated lockdown measures in the same month. These developments were accompanied by a series of Presidential addresses and a significant increase in media coverage about the pandemic. The following months witnessed changes in public opinion, behaviour and socio-economic conditions in Uganda.
This survey delivers data on both public opinion and self-reported behaviour concerning key issues related to the impact of Covid-19 in Uganda. Whitehead Communications gathered 1,353 responses – or 1,182 after data cleaning – between the 6th and 15th of July, 2020, using a mixed methodology collecting results from a purposive sample both online and through phone calls. This report is intended to serve as a resource to decision-makers and the general public by providing research-based insights to inform public discussion and policy in response to Covid-19.
KEY FINDINGS
Media Consumption
• The majority of respondents (72%) were exposed to news about Covid-19 at least once every day.
• Television was the most common type of media that respondents were exposed to at least once a week (68%).
Attitudes Toward Covid-19
• The majority of respondents in Uganda (78%) fear Covid-19 less in July than they did in March.
• Ugandans are not all behaving the same in how seriously they apply public health directives like physical distancing, mask-wearing and hand washing. 35% of respondents report being “very serious” and 27% are “somewhat serious”, while 23% are “somewhat relaxed” and 14% are “very relaxed”.
Public Opinion on the Government Response to Covid-19
• The majority of those surveyed (80%) did not receive the posho and beans that were distributed by the Government of Uganda as food aid during the lockdown.
• The vast majority of respondents (92%) said that they watched at least one of President Museveni’s addresses on Covid-19.
• 75% of respondents approved or strongly approved of the Government’s decision to lockdown the country in March.
• Public opinion on the continuing curfew is mixed, as 41% approve or strongly approve, 50% disapprove or strongly disapprove, and 9% are not sure.
• 63% of respondents disapprove or strongly disapprove of the way that the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) handled the Covid-19 crisis.
Economic Impact of Covid-19 in Uganda
• Only 21% of respondents reported that their employment situation has not been affected by Covid-19.
• 19% lost their job, with job loss reporting slightly higher among women and people living upcountry.
• 31% had their work hours reduced and 26% had pay reduced.
• 23% of respondents are worried that they may lose their job or business.
• 25% have been working from home.
• Only 18% have managed fine with no financial difficulties.
• 26% have failed to pay back outstanding loans and 22% have taken on more debt.
• 12% of respondents have sold assets.
• 60% of respondents have spent from savings.
• 51% have reduced their spending.
• 23% have missed meals.
Changes in Transportation Habits
• Use of boda bodas decreased by 85% between March and July of 2020.
• Use of taxis (matatus) also dropped by 47%.
• Use of private cars was the same in March as July at 34% of respondents.
• Respondents reported a 187% increase in walking and 175% increase in riding bicycles.
Public Opinion on Electoral Politics
• 64% of respondents disapprove or strongly disapprove of a “scientific election”.
• 52% of respondents believe that the next election should be postponed.
Further details on our findings and methodology can be found in the full report below.
Uganda registered its first case of Covid-19 on March 21, 2020, and instated lockdown measures in the same month. These developments were accompanied by a series of Presidential addresses and a significant increase in media coverage about the pandemic. The following months witnessed changes in public opinion, behaviour and socio-economic conditions in Uganda.
This survey delivers data on both public opinion and self-reported behaviour concerning key issues related to the impact of Covid-19 in Uganda. Whitehead Communications gathered 1,353 responses – or 1,182 after data cleaning – between the 6th and 15th of July, 2020, using a mixed methodology collecting results from a purposive sample both online and through phone calls. This report is intended to serve as a resource to decision-makers and the general public by providing research-based insights to inform public discussion and policy in response to Covid-19.
KEY FINDINGS
Media Consumption
• The majority of respondents (72%) were exposed to news about Covid-19 at least once every day.
• Television was the most common type of media that respondents were exposed to at least once a week (68%).
Attitudes Toward Covid-19
• The majority of respondents in Uganda (78%) fear Covid-19 less in July than they did in March.
• Ugandans are not all behaving the same in how seriously they apply public health directives like physical distancing, mask-wearing and hand washing. 35% of respondents report being “very serious” and 27% are “somewhat serious”, while 23% are “somewhat relaxed” and 14% are “very relaxed”.
Public Opinion on the Government Response to Covid-19
• The majority of those surveyed (80%) did not receive the posho and beans that were distributed by the Government of Uganda as food aid during the lockdown.
• The vast majority of respondents (92%) said that they watched at least one of President Museveni’s addresses on Covid-19.
• 75% of respondents approved or strongly approved of the Government’s decision to lockdown the country in March.
• Public opinion on the continuing curfew is mixed, as 41% approve or strongly approve, 50% disapprove or strongly disapprove, and 9% are not sure.
• 63% of respondents disapprove or strongly disapprove of the way that the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) handled the Covid-19 crisis.
Economic Impact of Covid-19 in Uganda
• Only 21% of respondents reported that their employment situation has not been affected by Covid-19.
• 19% lost their job, with job loss reporting slightly higher among women and people living upcountry.
• 31% had their work hours reduced and 26% had pay reduced.
• 23% of respondents are worried that they may lose their job or business.
• 25% have been working from home.
• Only 18% have managed fine with no financial difficulties.
• 26% have failed to pay back outstanding loans and 22% have taken on more debt.
• 12% of respondents have sold assets.
• 60% of respondents have spent from savings.
• 51% have reduced their spending.
• 23% have missed meals.
Changes in Transportation Habits
• Use of boda bodas decreased by 85% between March and July of 2020.
• Use of taxis (matatus) also dropped by 47%.
• Use of private cars was the same in March as July at 34% of respondents.
• Respondents reported a 187% increase in walking and 175% increase in riding bicycles.
Public Opinion on Electoral Politics
• 64% of respondents disapprove or strongly disapprove of a “scientific election”.
• 52% of respondents believe that the next election should be postponed.
Further details on our findings and methodology can be found in the full report below.
Download the full report here.
If you wish to collaborate with us on further research, please email [email protected]
If you wish to collaborate with us on further research, please email [email protected]
