Did you know Ugandan government systems face up to 28 million cyberattack attempts every month? As Uganda steadily embraces digitalization through mobile money, social media, e-commerce, and ride-hailing services, the risks of living online have never been higher.
This episode of The Ugandan Podcast, hosted The Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, brings together three experts in the Tech space to unpack one of the most urgent issues of our time: digital safety.
The panel features Baker Birikujja, Acting Data Protection Director (DPO) at the Personal Data Protection Office; Martin Karungi, Governance and Risk Manager both from NITA-U; and Aidah Bukubuza, Team Lead at the IDEA Gender and Technology Initiative.
Their insights reveal how everyday online habits expose Ugandans to fraud, identity theft, and even gender-based violence and what can be done to stay safe.Birikujja opens with a sobering truth: “Every app you use, whether transport, delivery, or mobile banking, collects your data: location, identity, patterns. Most of us don’t even read the permissions we accept.”
He warns that ignorance of digital rights is widespread, with only 13% of Ugandans aware of the Data Protection and Privacy Act and just 5% understanding their rights under it. This lack of awareness leaves citizens vulnerable to misuse of personal data. Birikujja stresses that individuals can request copies of their data from organizations and even demand deletion. Institutions that violate the law face penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
While personal responsibility is key, Karungi explains the government’s efforts to secure Uganda’s digital ecosystem: “NITA-U coordinates ICT initiatives, advises on cyber threats, and provides training. We also lead policy development, including the national cybersecurity strategy.”
Uganda’s National Computer Emergency Response Team monitors incidents through the National Backbone Infrastructure, a fiber network spanning the country. Despite these measures, the scale of attacks is staggering, with 28 million attempts in a single month. Karungi highlights common mistakes that make individuals easy targets: weak passwords, outdated apps, unsecured Wi-Fi, oversharing on social media, and using one password across multiple platforms. His advice? “Treat cybersecurity as a habit: update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid suspicious links.”
Aidah Bukubuza introduces a critical perspective: women face disproportionate digital harassment, from cyberbullying to technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Public figures such as politicians, journalists, and content creators are frequent targets, but ordinary women are equally at risk, especially from partners or strangers misusing personal data.
“Digital spaces are extensions of real life. If harassment is wrong offline, it’s wrong online too,” Aidah emphasizes. Her work focuses on ensuring women can fully participate in the tech ecosystem without fear.
As the digital world offers opportunity, it also presents risk. Staying safe requires awareness, responsibility, and informed choices. Start today: review your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and learn your rights under the Data Protection and Privacy Act. Digital safety isn’t optional; it’s a shared responsibility.
