Media practitioners have been cautioned to guard peoples personal data carefully while handling their medi reporting business
Arnold Mangeni, NITA-U’s Director of Information Security, emphasized the crucial role of the media in protecting citizens’ digital lives.
“We acknowledge that journalists are key partners in raising awareness and promoting trusted cybersecurity and data protection practices. Accurate and informed reporting protects not only systems and organizations, but also the citizens behind them,” Arnold stated.
“Media practitioners play a vital role in shaping public discourse on data protection and cybersecurity in Uganda. Journalists have a responsibility to inform and educate citizens about the importance of safeguarding personal data. Let’s work together to promote a culture of data protection and respect for digital rights in Uganda.” —Gilbert Ssettuuma (Legal Officer) – PDPO and one of the facilitators of the day.
“If everyone of us is secure, everyone else is secure”— Jerome Okot, a cybersecurity expert working with Milima, and one of the facilitators of the day.
Jerome complemented the session with practical demonstrations and real-world case studies showing how media practitioners can safeguard their digital work spaces and sources.Jerome asked journalists to enable multi-factor authentication, downloading files or apps from only verified sources, using strong passwords among others.
They made the remarks during the media training session held at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, to strengthen media capacity in reporting on cybersecurity, data privacy, and protection.
The National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) in collaboration with Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), trained journalists from print, radio, television, and online media houses on cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy.
According to a recent survey, only 13% of Ugandans are aware of data privacy laws and cybersecuirty. This Media engagement is a step in the right direction.
NITA-U is the a statutory body established in 2009 to coordinate and regulate IT development in Uganda. Its primary functions include building and maintaining the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI), ensuring e-services are accessible to citizens, and providing IT certification for service providers to ensure quality and security.
NITA-U works to promote government-wide efficiency and transform citizens’ lives through The Personal Data Protection Office is Uganda’s independent data protection office. It is established as an independent office under the National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (NITA-U) and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of and enforcement of the Data Protection and Privacy Act No. 9 of 2019. The Office is headed by a National Personal Data Protection Director.technology