Arnold Mangeni, the Director Information Security at NITA-UThe National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) has launched a nationwide digital cybersecurity, data protection and privacy awareness campaign.Speaking at the launch event held at Serena Hotel, Kampala on 3rd September 2025, Arnold Mangeni, the Director Information Security at NITA-U, said the campaign, dubbed Beera Ku Guard, is a nationwide movement that calls on every Ugandan to stay alert in how we use, share, and protect data, both online and offline.“We are here to build awareness, to make sure that every Ugandan understands not only the opportunities of the digital age, but also the responsibilities and protections that come with it. We want citizens to know their rights under the Data Protection and Privacy Act. We want institutions to understand their obligations as data controllers and processors. And we want everyone to see cybersecurity not as something distant and technical, but as a habit, as part of daily life,” Mangeni said.He noted that NITA Uganda remains at the forefront of Uganda’s digital transformation and through projects such as the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project, they are extending affordable and reliable broadband connectivity into rural communities, digitizing government service delivery, and opening new opportunities for education, business, and innovation.“These investments are not just about technology; they are about people. They are about ensuring that every Ugandan, whether in Kampala or in the most remote village, can embrace and benefit from the digital economy. But as we all know; every opportunity comes with responsibility. The same internet that connects us to jobs, services, business opportunities and social interaction also exposes us to cybersecurity and data privacy risks. These risks can cost us our freedom, our money, and even our trust in technology itself. One wrong click, one careless act, and our data may fall into the wrong hands. That is why this campaign is so important,” he said.According to a NITA-U survey, while 48.8% of Ugandans have heard of cybersecurity, only 13.6% truly understand data protection and privacy.And even where awareness exists, the protective measures people take are often basic.“While many use strong passwords, far fewer individuals use advanced safeguards like two-factor authentication or data encryption. Organisations too, have work to do. We discovered that very few have institutionalized cybersecurity and data privacy making their compliance with laws such as the Data Protection and Privacy Act difficult,” Mangeni revealed.He added: “These are gaps that must matter to us all, because cybercrime is no longer a distant problem. It is here, with us. The Uganda Police Crime Report 2024 has already noted a shift in crime from physical spaces to digital platforms. Our financial security, our national security, and our personal safety all depend on how well we respond.”Mangeni emphasized that the Beera Ku Guard campaign is more than just posters and messages.“It is about building a culture, a culture of digital responsibility. We will use multiple channels like digital media, traditional media, and community forums. We will meet people where they are, in the languages they speak, with examples they can relate with. We will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the message of “Beera Ku Guard” is not just heard, but lived,” he said, adding that over the next couple of months, the campaign will reach at least 70% of Ugandans, emphasizing that cybersecurity and data privacy is everyone’s responsibility.“It begins with you and me, how we handle our passwords, how we safeguard our devices, how we respect personal information of others. It extends to our institutions, which must be transparent, accountable, and compliant with the law. And it requires us to work together, across government, private sector, and communities, to build resilience in the face of ever-evolving threats,” he said.Speaking at the same event, Paul Kakeeto from NITA-U’s Personal Data Protection Office, highlighted why Cybersecurity, Data Protection, and Privacy matters to all Ugandans.“Think about this: what if you walk into a hospital, fill in a form with your personal details, and get treatment. But within days you start receiving strange calls and text messages trying to sell you products you never asked for. Somehow, your private information has left the hospital’s file and landed in the wrong hands. That is not just an inconvenience, it is a breach of trust, a violation of your privacy, and a reminder of why cybersecurity and data protection matter to all of us,” Kakeeto said.He said this awareness campaign aims to reach everyone; children, youth, parents, the senior citizens, businesses, and all communities.“By empowering them with information, this campaign shall turn them into their own first line of defense, so that whenever they sign up for that basic social service or make that mobile money payment or even jump onto that social media trend, they are sure of their information security and data privacy,” he said. The post NITA-U Launches Nationwide Campaign To Simplify Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Privacy appeared first on Business Focus.