Ugandan government does not prioritize funding for cybersecurity infrastructure there are many cyber fraudsters

By Angela Nyakuni

Cybersecurity continues to be a challenge in Uganda.  According to the Uganda 2020 Crime & Safety Report, the Ugandan government does not prioritize funding for cybersecurity infrastructure, and does not allocate sufficient funds to pay for solutions, even after identifying security breaches in sensitive government and financial systems.

The report states, “some government agencies report that the security frameworks protecting their systems are at least five to ten years behind current security standards, and there is no urgency to update them.”

The problem is compounded by the fact that many Ugandan government officials view cybersecurity measures as optional, and the average Ugandan does not understand the importance of simple measures such as using passwords for secure or sensitive systems.

One private-sector firm reported that even their most talented Ugandan recruits require months of intensive training in cybersecurity before they are ready to contribute to the company’s software products. While there are officials in both the public and private sector who proactively try to address Uganda’s cybersecurity shortfalls, they face an uphill battle.