Social Sciences

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Browsing Social Sciences by Author "Bakenegura Namara, Rose"

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    Uganda’s National Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Measures and Implications for Public Governance
    (The International Institute of Administrative Sciences, 2020) Bakenegura Namara, Rose; Nabaho, Lazarus; Kagambirwe Karyeija, Gerald; Nkata, James L.; Lukwago, Rajab
    This paper analyses Uganda’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Uganda responded to the pandemic decisively –with context-specific measures which were underpinned by science rather than fiction –thus registering quick wins and militating against high infection and death rates which are a norm in other jurisdictions. The efficacy of Uganda’s response is attributed to early preventive strategies that were implemented prior to the identification of first COVID-19 confirmed case, the leadership and decisiveness from the topmost decision making organs, unwavering commitment by political and technical officials, the scientific and social experience of handling previous viral epidemics, consistent communication of the guidelines to the populace, effective coordination of the different institutions and actors, and the involvement and vigilance of the masses. However, the responses were constrained by structural and practical challenges such as the limited resources for the health sector, limited inter-governmental coordination and some hiccups in the implementation processes. The early lessons from the Uganda’s experience underscores the critical role of leadership support, effective coordination and communication mechanisms; and the imperative to pursue whole and multilevel involvement of institutions and actors– including the population– in the fight against global pandemics.