Uganda Launches Nationwide Cybersecurity Drive: “Beera Ku Guard”

Uganda is taking a bold stand against the rising tide of cybercrime with the launch of Beera Ku Guard a nationwide campaign turning digital safety into a daily habit. As the country races toward a digital future, the stakes are high: one careless click could compromise your money, data, and privacy. This is more than awareness it’s a call for every Ugandan to become a responsible digital citizen.

Kampala, Uganda Uganda has kicked off an ambitious nationwide campaign to raise awareness about cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy in a country rapidly embracing digital transformation.

The campaign Beera Ku Guard (Stay on Guard) was launched by the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) on 3rd September 2025 at Serena Hotel, Kampala. It aims to turn cybersecurity from a distant, technical subject into an everyday habit for Ugandans, both online and offline.

“Every Ugandan must understand not only the opportunities of the digital age, but also the responsibilities that come with it,” said Arnold Mangeni, Director of Information Security at NITA-U. “One wrong click, one careless act, and our data may fall into the wrong hands. That is why this campaign is so important.”

Mangeni highlighted NITA-U’s wider role in spearheading Uganda’s digital transformation. Through projects like the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project, the authority is extending affordable broadband to rural areas, digitizing government services, and opening new opportunities for education and commerce. “These investments are not just about technology; they are about people. But every opportunity comes with responsibility. The same internet that connects us also exposes us to risks that can cost us our money, our freedom, and our trust in technology itself,” he noted.

A recent NITA-U survey underscores the urgency. While nearly half of Ugandans 48.8% have heard of cybersecurity, only 13.6% truly understand data protection and privacy. Even among those aware, most rely on basic safeguards like strong passwords, while advanced tools such as two-factor authentication and encryption remain rare. Organisations too have work to do, with very few having institutionalized data protection practices, leaving them exposed and often out of compliance with the Data Protection and Privacy Act.

“Cybercrime is no longer distant,” Mangeni warned. “The Uganda Police Crime Report 2024 shows crime shifting from physical spaces to digital platforms. Our financial security and even national security depend on how well we respond.” He emphasized that Beera Ku Guard is designed to build a culture of digital responsibility, not just spread posters or hashtags. The campaign will use digital media, traditional platforms, and community forums to reach people in local languages with relatable examples, with a target of reaching 70% of Ugandans in the coming months.

Paul Kakeeto from NITA-U’s Personal Data Protection Office illustrated why cybersecurity matters for everyone. “Imagine filling in your details at a hospital. Days later, you start receiving strange calls and text messages from companies trying to sell you products you never asked for. Somehow, your private information has leaked. That is not just an inconvenience it is a violation of your privacy.” He explained that every Ugandan, from children registering at school, to parents using mobile money, to businesses storing customer records, is affected by how personal data is handled.

As Uganda pushes deeper into the digital economy, NITA-U insists cybersecurity must grow hand-in-hand with access. With Beera Ku Guard, the authority hopes to nurture not just users of technology, but responsible digital citizens. Or as Mangeni put it: “Cybersecurity is not a technical issue. It is a way of life.”