At a time when cyber threats are growing across Africa, innovators at Kabale University’s Regional Innovation Hub are stepping up to secure Uganda’s digital future. On October 15, 2025, innovators and staff at the hub completed intensive hands-on training in cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance — a milestone effort to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.
The one-day training, conducted by Ngura Consult, aimed to equip innovators with practical skills to build secure and compliant digital products from the development stage. It formed part of a national effort led by the National ICT Innovation Hub to promote responsible innovation and align with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, which prioritizes innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills.
According to Don Oringa, Team Lead at Ngura Consult, cybersecurity is no longer a secondary concern in product development.
“When innovators embed cybersecurity and compliance from the start, they build products that are secure, reliable, and trusted by users,” he said.
The session emphasized the importance of Security by Design—a principle that integrates security measures into every phase of product creation. By adopting this approach, innovators can minimize risks and ensure compliance with Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act.
Lailah Nalukwago, Project Management Specialist at the National ICT Innovation Hub, said the initiative was crucial in ensuring that innovation hubs across Uganda maintain high security and regulatory standards.
“We’re ensuring that innovators and hub staff can meet regulatory and security standards as they develop and scale their products,” she noted.
The training came amid rising cyber threats across the continent. The Interpol Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2025 revealed that cybercrime now accounts for over 30 percent of reported crimes in Eastern and Western Africa, causing financial losses exceeding USD 3 billion.
For Uganda, this underscores the need for strong local capacity to counter cyber risks. By empowering innovators with the right skills, the Kabale University Regional Innovation Hub is helping startups protect user data, boost consumer trust, and enhance the competitiveness of local tech solutions.
The initiative reflects Uganda’s growing commitment to building a resilient digital economy anchored in security and trust. Through partnerships with institutions like Ngura Consult, the National ICT Innovation Hub continues to foster innovation that not only transforms livelihoods but also safeguards the nation’s digital landscape.