Functionality and performance of COVID-19 taskforces in response to the pandemic in Uganda

In response to increasing COVID-19 community transmission in 2020, the Government of Uganda established the National Community Engagement Strategy. As part of this strategy, COVID-19 taskforces were recommended in response to the pandemic. However, the extent to which these taskforces supported their communities during the pandemic is not clear. This study assessed the functionality, performance and contribution of the COVID-19 taskforces to response to the pandemic in Uganda.

A qualitative study was carried out that also involved functionality assessment of COVID-19 taskforces in 5 districts of Amuria, Karenga, Kamwenge, Bugiri and Pader. Twenty key informant interviews were conducted at national, district and community levels to gain insights on the COVID-19 taskforces. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis using the inductive approach with the support of NVivo version 12 pro (QSR International).

COVID-19 taskforces were created at national, district and village levels. Composition, surveillance and communication functions of COVID-19 village taskforce were best scored. A key feature of the COVID-19 taskforces was their multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral composition. Coordination between the different taskforce levels particularly village, sub-county and district had gaps in communication and sharing of information. Parish level COVID-19 taskforces were either not functional or nonexistent. COVID-19 taskforces played different roles in response to the pandemic. At district level, the taskforces performed a more coordination role, mainly supporting planning and resource mobilization. However, the village taskforces were primarily engaged in interpersonal communication, awareness creation, and community mobilization for interventions including observing the standard operating procedures for controlling the pandemic.

The COVID-19 taskforces at decentralized government levels supported the response to the pandemic. These taskforces could be strengthened and utilized during response to future outbreaks across the country.