Cybersecurity Training Boosts Innovators’ Skills at Kabale University Hub

Kabale: Innovators and staff at the Kabale University Regional Innovation Hub have completed hands-on training in cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance conducted by Ngura Consult.

The training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to build secure and compliant digital products right from the early stages of development.

The session held on October 15, was part of the National ICT Innovation Hub’s program to strengthen innovation practices and promote responsible technology development across regional hubs. This initiative supports the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, which identifies innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills as key pillars for growing Uganda’s digital economy.

Speaking during the training, Don Oringa, Team Lead at Ngura Consult, said cybersecurity and compliance are now essential for all innovators.

“Embedding cybersecurity and compliance into the innovation process allows innovators to create products that are secure, reliable, and trusted by users,” he explained.

Lailah Nalukwago, Project Management Specialist at the National ICT Innovation Hub, said building cybersecurity capacity in regional hubs is an important step toward strengthening Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.

“We are ensuring that innovators and hub staff can meet regulatory and security requirements as they develop and scale their products,” she said.

The training came at a time when cybercrime is on the rise across Africa. According to the Interpol Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025, cybercrime now accounts for over 30 percent of reported crimes in Eastern and Western Africa, leading to financial losses of more than three billion dollars.

By training innovators in cybersecurity and compliance, the Kabale University Regional Innovation Hub is helping startups reduce potential cyber risks and ensure their products comply with Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act.

Integrating “Security by Design” principles into innovation will make Ugandan digital products more resilient, protect user data, and increase their appeal to investors and global partners.

Through this initiative, the National ICT Innovation Hub and regional hubs are building a strong foundation for secure digital innovation, enabling regional innovators to create solutions that support Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.