By Ben Musanje
Uganda’s rapidly expanding digital economy is facing a relentless wave of cyber threats, with millions of malicious attempts targeting phones, home internet connections and corporate networks every day, according to Roke Telkom Chief Technical Officer Peter Muhumuza.
Muhumuza said the scale and interconnected nature of the threats make it impossible for any single organisation or sector to tackle cybersecurity alone, calling for deeper cooperation between government, telecommunications companies, financial institutions, technology firms and other stakeholders.
“Every day there is someone attacking your phone, your home internet, your office. So we see them and stop them,” Muhumuza said. “But you can’t stop everything. So you must be aware. When the problem comes, you respond.”
His remarks came during the inaugural National Cybersecurity Conference organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) under the theme “Securing Uganda’s Digital Future: Collaboration, Resilience and Trust.” The two-day conference, held on August 11–12, 2026 at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, brought together players from Uganda’s digital ecosystem to examine the growing risks accompanying the country’s digital transformation.
No sector can afford to operate alone
Muhumuza pointed to the interconnected nature of Uganda’s digital infrastructure as one of the biggest cybersecurity challenges.
He warned that a cyber-threat introduced through an employee’s personal device or home internet connection could potentially spread into an organisation and have consequences far beyond the individual user.
“The key takeaway is that we must work together,” he said, citing the keynote message from the Bank of Uganda Governor that no institution can operate in isolation when it comes to cybersecurity.
The Roke Telkom CTO also stressed the need to balance cybersecurity regulation with technological innovation, particularly as Uganda expands its use of digital financial services and other emerging technologies.
“We can’t fail to use mobile money systems because we are worried someone will attack us,” he said, arguing that innovation and law enforcement must work hand in hand.
He said young innovators, including students and technology developers, should be encouraged to create new digital solutions while ensuring that the systems they introduce to the market are adequately protected.
Imported security tools come at a cost
Muhumuza also raised concerns over Uganda’s heavy reliance on imported cybersecurity technologies, saying the country needs to accelerate the development of local expertise and home-grown solutions.
“We must admit we are behind the curve here. We rely mostly on imported solutions,” he said.
He urged greater collaboration with international technology partners in the short term while Uganda builds its own cybersecurity capabilities.
However, he said taxation on imported digital services is making cybersecurity protection more expensive for businesses and other users.
Muhumuza specifically pointed to what he described as “reverse VAT,” saying companies can face an additional 18 percent tax when importing services, including cybersecurity solutions that are largely sourced from outside Uganda.
“So how are we going to protect the country when it is expensive?” he asked, calling for the issue to be addressed as part of efforts to strengthen national cyber resilience.
Security built into connectivity
Roke Telkom says it is responding to the growing threat by integrating cybersecurity into its connectivity and digital services.
The company offers Roke Protect, a service designed to help households filter malicious content and security threats, including tools that allow parents to control access to inappropriate online content.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, Muhumuza said Roke provides cost-effective managed security solutions tailored to businesses operating with limited technology budgets.
Larger organisations, including banks and corporates that face potentially greater financial and operational losses from cyberattacks, can access more advanced security solutions.
“At Roke Telkom, we believe security must be built into the connectivity layer. Our responsibility is not only to connect Uganda, but to help make that connectivity safer for the people and businesses that depend on it,” Muhumuza said.
At the conference exhibition, Roke Telkom showcased its connectivity and digital services, including Roke Protect, Roke Cloud, Travel eSIM, Roke Plus and Roke Enterprise. Its cybersecurity capabilities are supported by technology partners including Sophos, Cohesity, F5 Networks, Nexus Guard, Bitdefender and ABQ.
Roke Telkom was an official sponsor of the conference, reinforcing its push for a coordinated national approach to cybersecurity.
As Uganda accelerates digital adoption across banking, communications, commerce and public services, Muhumuza’s message was clear: cybersecurity is no longer an IT problem confined to a few specialists. It is a shared national responsibility requiring constant vigilance, investment and collaboration. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
