Innovators and regional hub staff at Kabale University yesterday completed hands-on training in cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance conducted by Ngura Consult. The training equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to build secure and compliant digital solutions from the earliest stages of product development.
The session formed part of the National ICT Innovation Hub’s initiative, which works with regional hubs to strengthen innovation practices and promote responsible technology development. This effort aligns with the Digital Transformation Roadmap, which identifies innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills as key pillars for advancing Uganda’s digital economy.
Also read:
- Uganda launches its ambitious Digital Transformation Roadmap
- ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, applauds Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap
Speaking during the training, Don Oringa, Team Lead at Ngura Consult, emphasized that cybersecurity and compliance are now essential parts of innovation.”Embedding cybersecurity and compliance into the innovation process allows innovators to produce products that are secure, reliable, and trusted by users,” he said.
Lailah Nalukwago, Project Management Specialist at the National ICT Innovation Hub, noted that building cybersecurity capacity across regional hubs is a practical step toward strengthening Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. “We are ensuring that innovators and hub staff can meet regulatory and security requirements as they develop and scale their products,” she explained.
This training took place against the backdrop of rising cybercrime across Africa. The Interpol Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025 shows that cybercrime now accounts for more than 30 percent of reported crimes in Eastern and Western Africa, causing financial losses exceeding US$3 billion (approx. UGX10.4 trillion). These figures underscore the urgency of building local capacity to prevent and respond to cyber risks.
Training innovators in cybersecurity and compliance at the Kabale University Regional Innovation Hub is contributing to reducing potential cyber losses among startups and ensuring their products comply with the Data Protection and Privacy Act. Embedding Security by Design principles in product development makes Ugandan innovations more resilient, protects user data as well as enhances their appeal to investors and global partners.
Through this initiative, the National ICT Innovation Hub and the regional hubs are strengthening Uganda’s foundation for secure digital innovation, enabling regional innovators to build products that support the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The training comes at a time when the world is increasingly prioritizing digital safety and resilience, aligning perfectly with October, a month globally recognized as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The month is a collaborative effort between the government and industry to promote cybersecurity best practices and raise awareness about online risks. Key goals include encouraging public action, discussing cyber threats, and providing resources for online safety, with an emphasis on utilizing strong authentication and being vigilant against emerging threats, such as AI-generated phishing.
See also: OP-ED: Keeping artificial intelligence on the right side of cybersecurity
