RUMOR SCENARIOS FROM 2025 KCCA SIMULATION
SCENARIO 1:
“KCCA wants to arrest us because of Mpox”
Context: Heard in Somali refugee community in Makindye Division. Families reluctant to seek testing.
Underlying concern: Fear of government arrest (historical deportation threats)
Your task: Use CARE framework to respond
SCENARIO 2:
“Vaccine causes measles—government wants to kill children”
Context: Spread via WhatsApp anti-vaccine group. Parents refusing measles vaccination. Zero vaccination rate dropping.
Underlying concern: Conspiracy beliefs about government malice
Your task: Use CARE framework to respond
SCENARIO 3:
“Teams are spreading Mpox for self-interest”
Context: Community members believe health workers are intentionally spreading disease to justify salaries/funding.
Underlying concern: Distrust of authorities; suspicion of hidden agendas
Your task: Use CARE framework to respond
SCENARIO 4:
“Kisenyi Market closed by KCCA due to cholera” (FALSE RUMOR)
Context: Market is actually OPEN, but vendors stayed home due to rumor, losing income. Panic spreading.
Underlying concern: Fear of market closure; economic anxiety
Your task: Use CARE framework to respond
SCENARIO 5:
“Government is hiding Mpox cases to avoid panic”
Context: Distrust of official case numbers. People believe real numbers are higher and government is covering up.
Underlying concern: Government mistrust; belief in conspiracies
Your task: Use CARE framework to respond
10. COMPONENT 8: CARE FRAMEWORK RESPONSE TEMPLATE
CARE FRAMEWORK RUMOR RESPONSE TEMPLATE
Instructions: Complete all 4 sections for ONE rumor scenario. Use evidence-based reasoning.
RUMOR: (Write exactly as stated)
DATE DETECTED: ______________
YOUR NAME: ______________
C = CONFIRM
Is this rumor TRUE or FALSE?
How do you know? (Cite sources)
What is the TRUTH?
A = ASSESS
REACH:
☐ Low (10-100) ☐ Medium (100-10,000) ☐ High (10,000+)
Estimated number who’ve heard: __________
HARM LEVEL:
☐ Low (minor inconvenience) ☐ Medium (delays behavior) ☐ High (prevents life-saving action)
Specific harm: _________________________________________
SPREAD SPEED:
☐ Slow (1-2/day) ☐ Medium (10-50/day) ☐ Fast (100+/day)
How fast spreading: _________________________________________
BELIEF STRENGTH:
☐ Weak (unsure) ☐ Medium (makes sense) ☐ Strong (believe firmly)
Why this belief strength: _________________________________________
OVERALL PRIORITY:
☐ Low ☐ Medium ☐ HIGH (requires immediate response)
R = RESPOND
STEP 1: ACKNOWLEDGE THE RUMOR
(Validate that you heard it; show you’re listening)
STEP 2: STATE THE TRUTH
(Clear, specific, backed by evidence)
STEP 3: PROVIDE EVIDENCE
(Data, expert quotes, research)
STEP 4: ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CONCERN
(What fear/need is driving this belief? How do we address it?)
STEP 5: GIVE CLEAR ACTION
(What should people do?)
COMPLETE RESPONSE MESSAGE:
TRUSTED MESSENGER:
Who should deliver this response? (Why trusted?)
CHANNELS:
How will response reach the audience?
E = EVALUATE
How will you know if your response worked?
Indicators to track:
Timeline for evaluation: How long before you assess?
What will you do if response didn’t work?