The National Information Technology Authority\u2013Uganda (NITA-U), in collaboration with the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), has launched a nationwide public awareness campaign dubbed \u201cBeera Ku Guard\u201d to champion cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The campaign was unveiled on September 3 at an event in Kampala officiated by Arnold Mangeni, NITA-U\u2019s Director of Information Security, who represented the Executive Director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Running for six months, Beera Ku Guard\u2014which means \u201cstay guarded and on the lookout\u201d\u2014aims to reach 70% of Ugandans through radio, TV, social media, digital platforms, and direct institutional engagements. The initiative seeks to equip citizens with practical skills in cyber hygiene and data privacy at a time when Uganda counts over 13 million internet users. According to NITA-U\u2019s survey, while nearly half of Ugandans are aware of cybersecurity, only 13.6% understand issues around data protection and privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mangeni emphasized that trust and safety must underpin Uganda\u2019s digital transformation. \u201cWe cannot talk about a modern, digital Uganda without putting safety and trust at the center. Beera Ku Guard is a call to action for every citizen and organization to safeguard personal data and use digital platforms responsibly,\u201d he said, noting that cybercrime is fast replacing traditional forms of crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The campaign aligns with Uganda\u2019s Digital Transformation Roadmap (2023\/24\u20132027\/28) and supports the implementation of the Data Protection and Privacy Act. Its targets include reaching 100,000 citizens directly, training 500 institutional staff, and registering at least 1,000 data-controlling organizations with the PDPO by 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PDPO\u2019s Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Paul Kakeeto, underscored the broader mission: \u201cDigital transformation must be anchored in digital trust. This campaign will simplify laws, translate rights into relatable messages, and empower Ugandans to take charge of their digital safety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the launch, a panel discussion explored the theme \u201cBuilding Public Trust in Uganda\u2019s Data Systems: Safeguarding Information Online and Offline.\u201d Panelists highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among government, private sector, civil society, and citizens to build a safer digital environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mangeni reminded Ugandans that while the internet creates opportunities in business, education, and innovation, it also brings vulnerabilities. \u201cEvery opportunity comes with responsibility. The same internet that connects us also exposes us to risks. Beera Ku Guard<\/em> is about fostering a culture of responsibility where every Ugandan double-checks before they click, share, or disclose personal data.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A symbolic digital countdown marked the official start of the campaign, with messaging tailored for different regions, age groups, and languages in the months ahead. By embedding cybersecurity and privacy practices into everyday life, NITA-U and PDPO aim to build a culture of trust, accountability, and resilience in Uganda\u2019s digital landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The National Information Technology Authority\u2013Uganda (NITA-U), in collaboration with the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), has launched a nationwide public awareness campaign dubbed \u201cBeera Ku Guard\u201d to champion cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy across the country. The campaign was unveiled on September 3 at an event in Kampala officiated by Arnold Mangeni, NITA-U\u2019s Director of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8864,"featured_media":40549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[432,471,103],"tags":[9131,9132,31,109,335,9130,119],"class_list":["post-40548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-gadgets","category-tech","tag-cybersecurity","tag-data-privacy","tag-featured","tag-news","tag-nita-u","tag-pdpo","tag-uganda-news"],"yoast_head":"\n