As Uganda’s internet penetration crosses the 50% mark, the digital landscape has become a double-edged sword: boundless opportunity on one side, creeping threats on the other.
In a major push to tame the wilds of cyberspace, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has joined forces with the Global Consumer Centre (CONSENT) and Sizzling Events to launch the Safer Internet Media League Series- an eight-part training marathon designed to turn media professionals into frontline defenders of online safety.
The inaugural session, held Thursday under the theme “Building a Safer Internet for All,” brought together journalists from across the country via Zoom, marking the beginning of a sustained campaign to bridge the gap between rapid digital adoption and responsible ICT use.
“Media personnel are not just reporters of online harms and they are the first line of amplification,” said Bernard Bwambale.
“We can equip you with the right knowledge on cybersecurity, data privacy, and consumer protection, you will carry that message to every homestead in Uganda,” Bwambale added.
With over half of Ugandans now active online, incidents of cyberbullying, misinformation, online fraud, and data breaches have surged.
In addition, yet many citizens remain unaware of their digital rights or how to report abuse and the UCC, under its mandate from the Uganda Communications Act, prioritises consumer protection and digital literacy but regulatory guidance alone cannot reach grassroots communities.
“Journalists shape online behaviour every time they write a story, share a post, or interview a victim of cybercrime,” said Bernard.
He added that “this series will give them the tools to report accurately, ethically, and safely and to educate their audiences on recognising phishing scams, protecting personal data, and using complaint mechanisms.”
Eight sessions, one mission
The Safer Internet Media League Series is structured as eight consecutive webinars, each tackling a specific theme: from understanding the UCC’s consumer complaint mechanisms and reporting on cybercrime without causing panic, to debunking misinformation and promoting responsible digital parenting.
Participants who complete the series will be recognised as Safer Internet Champions, expected to embed online safety messaging into their regular coverage news, talk shows, social media content, and community radio.
“This is not a one-off workshop, and we are building a movement and the goal is to have at least one trained media champion in every sub-region of Uganda by the end of 2026,” said Kimera Henry, Team Lead at CONSENT.
A major focus of the launch session was unpacking the UCC’s existing consumer protection framework – including how to report harmful content, file complaints about unfair telecom practices, and seek redress for unauthorised data deductions or spam messages.
“Most Ugandans don’t know they can complain about an unsolicited loan text or a suspicious link,” a UCC official emphasised in an interview with this publication at the regional office in Gulu City.
“We want the media to keep repeating those complaint channels until they become common knowledge,” he said.
The Commission has promised to provide resource materials, contact directories, and rapid-response interview access for journalists covering internet safety issues.
For many in the virtual room, the message was clear and the story of Uganda’s digital future is still being written and now, journalists are being asked to hold the pen responsibly.
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