Beera Ku Guard’: NITA-U, PDPO unveil digital safety campaign to protect Ugandans online

Kampala, Uganda: The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), in partnership with the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), has launched a nationwide awareness campaign dubbed “Beera Ku Guard” to promote digital safety and data protection among Ugandans.

Unveiled in Kampala on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the campaign comes at a time when Uganda’s digital footprint is rapidly expanding, with more than 13 million Ugandans now online. Authorities warn that cyber threats and data breaches are rising as criminal activity shifts from physical to digital spaces, according to the 2024 Uganda Police Crime Report.

Arnold Mangeni, Director of Information Security at NITA-U, stressed that trust and safety are central to Uganda’s digital transformation. “We cannot talk about a modern, digital Uganda without putting safety and trust at the center. ‘Beera Ku Guard’ is a direct call to action for every Ugandan and organization to protect personal data and use digital platforms responsibly,” he said.

The six-month campaign will run across television, radio, social media, and digital platforms, with additional outreach to institutions to provide practical training on cyber hygiene and responsible digital practices.

Simplifying Laws

Paul Kakeeto, Manager of Public Relations and Marketing at the PDPO, explained that the initiative is designed to break down technical laws and translate personal rights into simple, accessible language. “Beera Ku Guard will empower individuals and institutions to take practical steps in protecting personal data,” he noted.

The campaign is aligned with Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap 2023/24–2027/28 and seeks to operationalize the Data Protection and Privacy Act. While nearly half of Ugandans are aware of cybersecurity issues, surveys show that only a small fraction fully understand data protection and privacy, a gap the campaign aims to bridge.

By the end of 2026, NITA-U and PDPO aim for the campaign to reach 70% of the population, train 500 staff across public and private institutions, and support the registration of at least 1,000 data-controlling organizations with PDPO.

Mangeni emphasized that digital safety must become second nature: “Locking your data should be as instinctive as locking your front door.”