Govt banks on digital transformation roadmap to end cyber threats

Officials pose for a group photo during the Data Protection Africa Summit recently.
What you need to know:
- This ambitious initiative aims to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
In an effort to bolster its digital defences and promote economic growth, the Ugandan government has unveiled a comprehensive five-year digital transformation roadmap.
This ambitious initiative aims to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to Dr Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, "Cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy have been prioritised as key pillars of the roadmap, and we are working towards building a digitally enabled society that is agile and adaptable to emerging technologies and trends."
The need for robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. The 2023 Annual Police Crime Report revealed a disturbing trend, with over 245 reported cases of cybercrime resulting in staggering losses of Shs5b. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for effective cybersecurity protocols to safeguard citizens' personal data and protect the country's digital infrastructure.
The digital transformation roadmap is a critical component of Uganda's broader strategy to promote digital transformation and economic growth. The roadmap focuses on five key pillars: skills development, digital services, cybersecurity, innovation and entrepreneurship, and the necessary enabling environment and infrastructure.
As Dr Zawedde emphasised, "To further the data protection efforts registered under Uganda's third National Development Plan (NDP3), we have identified strategic objectives under the fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) to ensure the sustenance of earlier registered achievements."
These objectives include strengthening the legal and regulatory framework, enhancing public awareness and education on data protection, and fostering international cooperation to address cross-border data protection challenges.
The launch of the digital transformation roadmap is a significant milestone in Uganda's quest for a secure digital future. As the country continues to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and data protection, it is clear that this roadmap will play a critical role in shaping Uganda's digital landscape.
In a keynote address at the Data Protection Africa Summit, Mr Srikanth Mangalam, Founder and President of Prism Institute, emphasized the importance of data protection in measuring trust, demonstrating accountability, and producing outcomes.
Dr Philomena Nyarko, the Executive Director of Africa Digital Rights Hub, warned that unauthorized, unlawful, insensitive, or ignorant processing of personal data poses significant dangers to individuals, corporate agencies, and governments.
"As someone who now does a lot of capacity building for adults, especially, I know one of the cardinal rules we must have in this room is that there is no silly question," said Ms. Stella Alibateese, the National Personal Data Protection Director. "So, we encourage you to ask questions or to share your knowledge so that we all leave after the summit further enriched."
The Data Protection Africa Summit, held in Kampala from December 2 to 5, brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss matters of data protection on the African continent. The summit aimed to promote a culture of data protection and encourage compliance with data protection regulations.