Uganda Plays Host to Regional Cyber-Security Summit for Africa

By : Hason Mutunzi Bwambale 

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ugandan Computer Emergency Response Team (UgCERT), and African Computer Emergency Response Team (AfricaCERT), is organizing the Regional Cybersecurity Summit for Africa this week. The summit is being held at the UCC Headquarters in Bugolobi.

The opening ceremony took place this morning and was followed by a deep-dive into discussions surrounding enhancing national cybersecurity frameworks with international standards. Participants from various African countries gathered to exchange ideas and knowledge on cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and cyber resilience.

The primary objective of the Regional Cybersecurity Summit for Africa is to promote dialogue among African nations about cybersecurity challenges and concerns. The summit aims to align the efforts of African countries with international standards and obligations, ensuring a unified approach to combating cyber threats.

Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo, the Executive Director of UCC, emphasized the importance of the summit, stating, “Whereas growth in digital finance is welcome, this also broadens the scope for cyber criminals to exploit vulnerabilities in the DFS ecosystem. This could potentially lead to financial and reputational losses, as well as the erosion of public confidence in these services.”

The summit promises to address these concerns and explore ways to protect critical infrastructure and enhance cyber resilience across the African continent. With the increasing dependence on digital technologies and the rising number of cyber attacks, it is crucial for African nations to come together and develop effective strategies to safeguard their digital ecosystems.

The Regional Cybersecurity Summit for Africa provides a platform for stakeholders to share best practices, exchange insights, and collaborate on innovative solutions to counter cyber threats. By fostering dialogue and cooperation, the summit aims to strengthen the overall cybersecurity landscape in Africa and mitigate the risks associated with digital transformation.

As technology continues to advance rapidly, African countries must stay vigilant and proactive in the face of evolving cyber threats. The Regional Cybersecurity Summit for Africa serves as a significant step towards building a resilient and secure digital future for the continent.