Journalists most targeted group in cybercrime - report

Kampala. Journalists are the most persecuted group of people with cybercrime offences, a report released by Unwanted Witness, a civil society organisation, on Friday indicates.
The report titled; ‘The State of Digital Rights in Uganda-2018,’ lists eight journalists who have been persecuted for cybercrime-related offences.
These include Mr Richard Wanambwa (Eagle Online), Mr Giles Muhame (Chimp Reports), Mr Darius Mugisha, Mr Tadeo Ssenyonyi (Business Focus) Mr John Njoroge (CEO Magazine) Mr Bob Atwine and Mr Andrew Irumba (Spy Reports).
Mr Stanley Ndawula, the proprietor of The Investigator, an online publication, was also named as having been kidnapped by operatives working with Internal Security Organisation.
Activists such as Dr Stella Nyanzi, who is currently held at Luzira prison, and ordinary citizens are the other group persecuted for allegedly engaging in cybercrime activities.
Others are public servants, First family and politicians
Unwanted Witness also highlights how Internet usage has continued to grow in recent years with more than 13 million people connected.

Internet usage
The report adds that the growth has equally attracted interest from the State to control and monitor Internet activities.
It shows that Uganda registered an increase in digital activism last year through participation in online campaigns protests, social and economic injustices, including social media tax.
Such social media campaigns included #NoToSocialMediaTax, #ThisTaxMustGo and #Free Bobi Wine.