The National Information Technology Authority- Uganda (NITA-U) has launched a campaign to raise awareness on cybersecurity, data protection and privacy among Ugandan citizens.
Dubbed “Beera ku Guard: Online and Offline”, the campaign which will run for about three months, seeks to ensure that at least 70% of Ugandans understand their rights and responsibilities when using digital services and sharing personal information.
Addressing the media and other stakeholders who turned up for the campaign’s launch at the Serena Hotel’s Katonga Hall Wednesday morning, Arnold Mangeni, the Director Information Security at NITA-U, noted that the initiative was informed by recent research highlighting critical knowledge gaps in the above data usage areas.
“NITA-U recently conducted a survey where we found out that while only 48.8% of Ugandans are aware of the need for cybersecurity, just 13% were abreast with the risks associated with data protection and privacy. This campaign is therefore not simply about sending messages out there but rather building a culture of responsibility when using information technology,” he said.
ICT Growth Driving New Risks
Reports from the ICT Ministry show that the Government’s National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) Project has increased internet penetration to over 67%. This has consequently scaled the proliferation of e-services offered by government agencies to over 71%; offered electronically via the different institutional websites, emails, social media, SMS and Mobile platforms.
Mangeni explained that with NITA-U being at the heart of building these technologies, it saw an urgent need to sensitize Ugandans on the need, and how to protect themselves from the possible consequences of the huge volumes of data they offer to various service providers while consuming these e-services.
Data Protection, Everyone’s Concern
Paul Kakeeto, the NITA-U Personal Data Protection Officer, noted that the campaign is intended for every Ugandan, given the increasing uptake of IT services in the country and the globe affects every person.
“With the increase in e-services, almost every Ugandan shares their information somewhere: From schools and hospitals to mobile money and job applications, we all share personal information daily. Individuals must be cautious about how their data is used, while companies have a duty to protect or securely dispose of it once it serves its purpose,” he said.
In this regard, Henry Kimera, the Team Leader Consumer Center (CONSENT), urged companies to enhance their customer care processes, warning that poor customer care is emerging as a key risk area for data breaches. “Customer care people are frontline staff who handle large volumes of client information. If they handle it carelessly— especially during disagreements —this data can easily fall into the wrong hands,” he cautioned.
Parental Responsibility
Parents, too, were urged to play a stronger role in safeguarding children online. Mangeni criticized the practice of posting children’s images and details on social media, describing it as a violation of their rights and an unnecessary risk.
He also highlighted the need for parents to closely watch the kind of information their children share or receive online.
“Covid made it inevitable for our children to be connected to devices from which they access online content. It is, however, our responsibility for us to watch, teach and guide our children on what they consume so that they are not exposed to cybersecurity risks,” he said. He also lashed out at parents who post their children on the internet, saying that they not only violate their rights but also expose them to many risks, including harm.
Practical Cyber Safety Tips
During the panel discussion, NITA officials including Johnson Tumusiime (Manager Governance and Risk, Geraldine Mugumya (Risk Analyst), and henry Kimera, provided key tips to enhance cybersecurity, data protection and Privacy, as part of the key messages for the Beera ku Guard: Online and Offline campaign. These include:
- Mirror real-life caution online: Just as you wouldn’t carry all your money in cash, don’t store everything in mobile wallets.
- Beware of online scams: Ignore unsolicited promotions, lotteries, or offers that sound too good to be true. In short, there’s no free lunch, so avoid freebies.
- Invest in cybersecurity: Companies should strengthen systems as their digital presence grows.
- Stay informed and alert: Scammers prey on ignorance—verify suspicious calls, emails, and requests.
- Strengthen and regularly change passwords to reduce exposure to hackers.
- Minimize data sharing: Provide only what is necessary; for example, your marital status isn’t needed to withdraw money.
- Choose platforms with privacy notices that clearly state how your data will be used.
Avoid typing sensitive details in public places: Geraldine advised against typing sensitive information in public places like taxis as it exposes you to prying eyes, hence phishing risks.
Edmond Macheli, Coordinator of the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project, added that knowledge of relevant laws is crucial.
“In today’s information age, data sharing is part of daily life. Understanding the law helps citizens know how to engage safely and avoid endangering themselves,” he said.
Taking the Campaign Nationwide
Henry Kimuli noted that to bring everyone on board, NITA-U will engage a wide range of stakeholders across various platforms both in rural and urban places. These will include media partnerships, radio, TVs, local MCs, local clubs, religious leaders, among others.
As the initiative unfolds, Mangeni reminded Ugandans that cyber safety starts with individual responsibility.
“Cybersecurity begins with you. Be alert, be informed: Beera ku Guard, Online and Offline.”
