The Ministry of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance has officially initiated the Data Protection and Privacy 2024 campaign, emphasizing the responsible use of personal data and privacy protection. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for ICT, issued a stern warning to government agencies, including the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, and other entities with access to individual information, urging them to utilize the data professionally and ethically for its intended purpose.
The campaign, launched at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala on January 9, 2024, operates under the theme “Stop, Think, Own Your Privacy.” Minister Baryomunsi stressed the fundamental right to protect people’s privacy and questioned the exposure of individuals’ data without proper safeguards.
During the press conference, Baryomunsi reminded the media to use gathered information responsibly, differentiating between what should be published and what constitutes confidential data. The campaign aligns with the Data Protection and Privacy Act enacted in 2019, along with subsequent regulations developed by the Ministry of ICT and National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U).
The campaign’s launch precedes the commemoration of Data Privacy Day on January 31, 2024. Stella Alibateese, the Director of National Personal Data Protection, emphasized the increasing prevalence of data breaches and information misuse in Uganda’s digital landscape, making the protection of personal data more critical than ever.
