The National Information Technology Authority–Uganda (NITA-U), in conjunction with the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), today brought together leaders and representatives from various professional associations for the Beera Ku Guard Professional Associations’ Engagement, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Uganda’s national culture of safe digital practices, cybersecurity awareness, and responsible data protection.
The engagement forms part of the broader Beera Ku Guard campaign, which seeks to empower institutions, professionals, and citizens to safeguard personal data and adopt cyber-safe habits in their daily operations, while supporting compliance with Uganda’s data protection and privacy legal framework.
The engagement opened with remarks from Ms. Edna Kasozi, Manager – Licensing and Legal Affairs at the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), who emphasized the importance of responsible personal data handling in an increasingly digital society. She noted that strong data protection practices cannot exist without effective cybersecurity measures, warning that weak cybersecurity often leads to data breaches, loss of trust, and reputational damage for institutions and professional bodies.
The first session of the engagement was led by Mr. Gilbert Ssettuuma, Compliance and Investigations from the Personal Data Protection Office, who guided participants through Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act, outlining the legal obligations of professional associations as data controllers, the rights of data subjects, and the importance of registration, accountability, and lawful data processing.
The engagement brought together a diverse group of professional bodies, including Mukono Traders Association, Internet Society Uganda Chapter (ISOC), KACITA, the ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU), Tailors’ Association, Uganda Bankers’ Association, Uganda Cooperatives Alliance (UCA), and ISACA among others. These associations represent key sectors whose leadership and influence are critical in shaping safe digital behavior and responsible data management practices nationwide.
The second session of the engagement was delivered by Mr. Emmanuel A. Chagara, Chief Operating Officer at Milima Security. His session highlighted the growing cyber risks faced by professionals and institutions, stressing that cybersecurity is not merely a technical issue but a leadership and cultural responsibility. He called on professional associations to embed digital safety into governance structures, daily workflows, and member engagement activities.
The engagement concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Martin Karungi, CERT Analyst at NITA-U, who reaffirmed NITA-U’s commitment to supporting professional associations in strengthening cybersecurity resilience and fostering a trusted digital ecosystem. He emphasized the role of professional bodies as critical partners in advancing national digital safety and promoting responsible use of technology.
“The Beera Ku Guard Professional Associations’ Engagement reinforces NITA-U and PDPO’s continued collaboration to create a safer digital Uganda by equipping influential professional communities with the knowledge, tools, and leadership mindset needed to protect personal data, prevent cyber incidents, and model best practices in cybersecurity and data protection.” Gilbert Ssettuuma, Compliance and Investigations, PDPO
Beera Ku Guard is a nationwide digital safety campaign (2025–2026) led by NITA-U in partnership with the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO). It aims to empower Ugandans with practical knowledge and habits to stay safe in the digital world, covering cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy. This campaign builds on earlier initiatives like Stay Safe Online, expanding the focus beyond online behaviour to include offline data handling, institutional readiness, and digital trust.
