Shetechtive Uganda blog

Across the world, identity verification is no longer optional. From fintech to social media platforms, and even civic services, proving who you are online has become a regulatory requirement. Governments and companies argue that this strengthens trust, reduces fraud, and improves accountability. But there is a growing tension. As identity checks expand, so do the risks to privacy, security, and digital rights. For communities like those Shetechtive serves, especially women and marginalized groups, these risks are not abstract. They can translate into surveillance, exclusion, and real-world harm. The challenge now is not whether identity verification should exist, but how to implement it responsibly. When compliance becomes a risk surface Regulation often forces platforms to collect more personal data than they otherwise would. This includes national IDs, facial recognition scans, phone numbers, and sometimes even biometric data. While the intention may be legitimate, the outcome ...

Uganda’s digital landscape has entered a defining moment. The Constitutional Court’s decision to declare the Computer Misuse Act null and void is not just a legal development. It is a turning point for how rights, freedoms, and responsibilities are understood in the digital age. For years, the law shaped how Ugandans interacted online. Its removal now opens both opportunities and questions that demand careful reflection. At its core, the Court found that Parliament enacted the law in a way that contravened the Constitution. This ruling goes beyond technical legalities. It reaffirms the principle that all laws, especially those regulating expression and technology, must align with constitutional protections such as freedom of expression, privacy, and due process. For a country where digital spaces are increasingly central to civic participation, this judgment carries deep significance. For ordinary Ugandans, the immediate impact is a shift in how online expression is treated. The...

Uganda’s music industry is entering an important moment. This week, Parliament began discussing changes to the country’s copyright law. The proposed amendments could change how musicians earn money from their work. For many artists, this discussion has been a long time coming. For years, musicians in Uganda have complained that their songs generate money for many businesses but not for them. Songs are played on radio, television, in bars, on streaming platforms and as caller ringback tones on mobile phones. Yet many artists say they receive little or no payment. The new bill aims to address some of these concerns. The proposal seeks to update the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act . This law currently governs copyright protection in Uganda. The amendment would introduce stronger systems for collecting royalties and sharing revenue with artists. One area receiving attention is the money generated from caller ringback tones used by telecom companies. Lawmakers want to ensure that ...

When we talk about digital safety for activists, the conversation often jumps straight to encrypted messaging apps or strong passwords. These are important, but underneath all of that sits something more basic and often ignored, the IP address. Your IP address is one of the first and most powerful pieces of information you give away every time you go online. It is quiet, invisible, and deeply political. An IP address is simply a numerical label assigned to your device when it connects to the internet. Think of it as a return address for your online activity. When you visit a website, send an email, or post on social media, your IP address helps data know where to go and where it came from. This is how the internet works. But it is also how tracking begins. Most organizations can see your IP address when you visit their websites. This is not always malicious. Websites use IP addresses to prevent spam, manage traffic, and understand where users are coming from. In countries where civ...

2025 was supposed to be the year artificial intelligence and data-driven systems finally delivered on their promise: efficiency, inclusion, and innovation. Instead, it became a year of hard lessons. Across governments, corporations, and platforms, repeated data and AI failures exposed a familiar truth.  Technology is only as ethical as the systems of power that shape it. For women, marginalized communities, and digital rights defenders, these missteps were not abstract “tech problems.” They had real consequences: surveillance without consent, automated exclusion, silencing of voices, and deepened inequalities. As we move forward, ending data and AI disasters must start with naming what went wrong. 1. Treating Data as a Resource, Not a Right One of the biggest missteps of 2025 was the continued framing of personal data as a commodity rather than a human rights issue. Governments and companies rushed to collect, share, and monetize data without meaningful consent, transparenc...

By Rebecca Nanono | Shetechtive Uganda A Marketplace Built on Misinformation Disinformation is no longer just a political weapon or an online nuisance. It is a booming global industry. From troll farms to clickbait factories, from deepfake software to data-driven propaganda, disinformation has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar market that shapes elections, polarizes societies, and undermines public trust in truth itself. A 2023 study by University of Baltimore estimated that the global economic cost of disinformation exceeds $78 billion per year , including losses from stock manipulation, reputational damage, and public health misinformation. Behind this staggering figure lies a thriving ecosystem of digital mercenaries, content farms, and algorithmic amplifiers profiting from deceit. The Business Model of Deceit The disinformation market thrives because attention equals profit . Every click, view, and share, no matter how false, translates into advertising revenue. Tech ...

Protecting Refugee Data in Uganda’s Humanitarian Response: Why It Matters More Than Ever By Rebecca Nanono Uganda stands out globally as one of the most generous refugee-hosting nations. With over 1.5 million refugees, mostly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi, Uganda's open-door policy is often praised as progressive and inclusive. Yet, as digital systems increasingly underpin humanitarian operations, from biometric registration to digital cash transfers, new risks to refugee privacy and protection are emerging. One of the most pressing yet overlooked challenges is the protection of refugee data. Why Refugee Data Protection Matters Refugee data, such as biometric information, personal histories, health records, and legal status, is sensitive and can expose individuals to serious risks if mishandled. In contexts where people have fled persecution, conflict, or political oppression, even a small data leak can lead to severe consequences, includin...

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has transformed the way we communicate, access information, and participate in society. However, this digital revolution has also brought significant challenges, including concerns over privacy, online safety, digital inequality, and the role of big tech companies in governance. To address these challenges and create a more inclusive and fair digital future, the United Nations has proposed the Global Digital Compact (GDC) —a framework aimed at setting global principles for digital cooperation and governance. What is the Global Digital Compact? The Global Digital Compact is an initiative proposed by the United Nations to establish a set of global principles to guide the use of digital technologies. It is expected to be a core part of the Summit of the Future in 2024 , bringing together governments, private sector actors, civil society, and other stakeholders to build a more open, safe, and human-centered digital space . The Compact seeks...