International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Simon Peter Ongodia, Kayindu Vincent
Kampala International University
Abstract: The current study was conducted in the month of January 2022 in Lwemiriiti village (L.C 1) which is found in Kitanda sub county, Bukomansimbi district in the Central region of Uganda. Being a rural area where cases of COVID-19 have not been reported, many children and some adults are just hearing the disease with some of them doubting its existence. The study was therefore carried out so as to provide solutions to the misconceptions about COVID-19 so that it does not turn out to be a disaster. This is because, if COVID-19 is not properly understood by people, it can spread like wild fire, hence leading to death of many people. Lwemiriiti village (L.C 1) where the study was carried out has only one trading centre with several retail shops, three bars which sell local brew (Waragi, Kkwete and Ttonto), beer, as well as soft drinks like soda. There is also a motorcycle (bodaboda) stage with about 10 motorcycles for transporting people. In carrying out this study, only oral interviews were used. Thus, 35 people were interviewed. The interviewees were19 residents, five shopkeepers, three sellers of Matooke (bananas), three sellers of alcohol in the bars and five bodaboda riders. Thelatter were involved in the study because they interact with many people on daily basis. The findings were that although all people know that COVID-19 exists, they don’t understand it properly. Thus, the standard operating procedures put in place by the government are generally perceived to be inconveniencing and because of this, they are hardly implemented.
Key Words: COVID-19; Understood; Standard Operating Procedures.
I.INTRODUCTION
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is one of the infectious diseases. In Uganda, the presence of COVID-19 was first announced in March 2020 and because of that, the government closed schools and other public gatherings on March 20, 2020. Prior to this, in 2017 strange diseases in Uganda like Anthrax attacked people in Isingiro, Arua, Kween and Kiruhura districts; Creamean Congo hemorrhagic fever attacked people in Nakaseke, Kiboga and Kakumiro districts; Marburg Virus disease and Rift Valley fever attacked the people of Kween district (Akello, 2020). Whereas these are serious diseases that have impacted