Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to explore the
content of web-based communication on COVID-19
by religious authorities (RAs) in Uganda and to
assess the level of integration of the Uganda
Ministry of Health (MoH) and World Health
Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 risk communication
guidelines into the statements released by these
RAs. A grey literature review was conducted by
searching the websites of intra- and inter-religious
bodies for the terms “COVID-19” and “coronavirus”.
Thematic analysis was used to assess the content of
RA statements which were also mapped to the
items of the MoH and WHO statements. Results
indicate that RA communications were centred on
COVID-19 description and management; the need
to adhere to established guidelines; and the
adoption of health-protective behaviours, notably,
social distancing and avoidance of misinformation.
RAs also discussed the effects of COVID-19 and its
control measures on the population and spoke
against pandemic-aggravated injustices (genderbased
violence and embezzlement). The RA
messages incorporated the WHO statement to a
greater extent than the MoH statement. In
conclusion, RAs played a critical role in delivering
public health messages in Uganda during the
COVID-19 pandemic, a position we believe should
be maximized by public health authorities for
effective communication during emergencies.
Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus, Uganda, religious authorities, risk communication
