By Our Reporter
SOROTI CITY
The government has embarked on equipping university staff, community innovators, and students with knowledge in cyber security, data protection, and privacy, aiming to prevent significant financial losses from cyber threats.
Don Oringa, the team leader at Ngura Consults, announced that they are providing training for lecturers, principals, support staff, innovators, students, and the broader community on these critical topics.
This initiative is being rolled out at universities in Soroti, Muni, Gulu, Kabale, and the ICT National Hub in Nakawa, particularly in response to increasing incidents of phishing attacks, which have involved fraudulent email activities and unauthorized access to Visa card accounts.
Oringa shared this information during a cyber security awareness clinic held at Soroti University on Tuesday, September 23rd, which runs for a week.
He emphasized the significance of this training, noting the adverse effects of cyber-attacks on Uganda’s economy, resulting in substantial financial losses for individuals and institutions.
“This cyber security training is crucial for our community, helping us to understand the risks we face and how to mitigate them,” Oringa stated.
The program aims to engage at least 80 participants from each institution, recognizing that these individuals represent the future workforce. It is essential for them to be well-informed so that they can apply their skills in professional settings and share this knowledge with family and community members.
According to Oringa, empowering innovators with understanding of data protection compliance will not only help defend against cyber-attacks but will also raise awareness of various phishing threats.
“Our goal is to ensure they build a strong foundation in cyber security, data protection, and privacy, equipping them to navigate online platforms like email, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok safely,” he added.
Lynn Tar Janet Gutu, a lecturer at the School of Engineering and Technology at Soroti University, noted that this training aligns with the National Development Plan 3, now transitioning to NDP 4, which seeks to enhance technological skills among citizens to address community challenges effectively.
Gutu expressed her gratitude to the Government for designating Soroti as the eastern regional hub for this pivotal training, noting that cyber security is a pressing concern within our communities.
She emphasized the significance of training lecturers, administrators, support staff, students, entrepreneurs, and the business community, asserting that they represent the future ambassadors of Soroti University, taking their knowledge and ideas beyond the campus.
“Phishing attacks are prevalent in universities; when a student falls victim, it often leads to lecturers and administrators being compromised, along with the wider community,” Gutu remarked.
She is confident that by training our own people, we can effectively tackle the challenges posed by cyber-attacks on our systems, websites, and other associated platforms.
Lawrence Etoromat, an assistant lecturer in the Department of Economics at Soroti University, highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of information, ensuring access to it, and safeguarding it within institutions.
In practical terms, he noted the need to regularly check email accounts to assess the frequency of breaches, allowing for the strengthening of passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
“Be vigilant with your personal and private information, whether it’s on computers, mobile phones, or in documents, as anyone can access and misuse it,” he cautioned.
Peter Kirangwa, head of the ICT Innovation Hub in the eastern region located at Soroti University, stated that the training provides valuable insights into preventing the broader issue of cybercrime.
He reiterated the hub’s mission to transform the eastern region and invited individuals to partake in this transformative journey.
Nixon Kamugisha, a systems administrator at Soroti University, shared that he has gained knowledge on protecting himself from online interactions and the cyber threats that loom in the digital landscape.
