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Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda
16Jul

Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda

Author CIPESA Posted on

CIPESA |

In partnership with Enabel, the European Union, and the Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) is implementing “The Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda (ARBHR) project”. Launched in November 2024, the project seeks to among others reduce human rights abuses connected to business activities in Uganda, particularly those impacting women and children.

With a focus on Uganda, the project is being implemented in the regions of Busoga (Iganga, Mayuge, Bugiri, and Bugweri), Albertine (Hoima, Kikuube, Masindi, Buliisa, and Kiryandongo) and Kampala Metropolitan (Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso). While working in these regions, CIPESA is enhancing awareness on business and human rights concerns through evidence based advocacy, sensitisation campaigns, reporting and redress mechanisms, as well as through  public and private sector policy dialogues.

More details about the project can be found here.

Connecting Business to Digital Rights

Many Ugandan businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), lack a comprehensive understanding of digital rights principles and their obligations in upholding them. A significant portion of Uganda’s population lacks access to the internet and modern digital technologies, limiting the reach and impact of digital rights initiatives. 

According to the telecommunications regulator, as of June 2023, Uganda had a total of 34.9 million telephone subscriptions which translates to a 77% penetration rate. At 27.7 million internet subscriptions, internet penetration is at 61%. According to a 2018 nation-wide survey by the National Information Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-U), 76.6% of respondents named high cost as the main limitation to their use of the internet. The same reason was reported in the 2022 survey, which also cited the rural-urban divide (84.9% vs 92.1% vs) and a gender gap (84.6% female and 89.6% male) in mobile phone ownership. 

Businesses often prioritise short-term economic gains over long-term investments in responsible digital practices such as data privacy and user security. The existence of insufficient digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas, hampers the effective implementation and enforcement of digital rights protections. Businesses face increasing cybersecurity threats that compromise data privacy and other digital rights, necessitating robust security measures.

Related reading: See this commentary on the Future of work in Uganda: Challenges and Prospects in the Context of the Digital Economy

#BeeraSharp Campaign

The #BeeraSharp (“be smart” in Luganda) campaign is our response in addressing the gaps that Ugandan businesses face when navigating digital rights, online spaces and digital data. It aims to fill key knowledge gaps on the understanding of business legal obligations through adopting secure and ethical digital practices to build a smarter, safer, and more resilient business ecosystem in Uganda.

WSIS
14Jul

Reflections From the WSIS+20 Africa Regional Stakeholder Workshop

Author CIPESA Writer Posted on

By Lillian Nalwoga and Patricia Ainembabazi

As the twenty-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) approaches, the need for inclusive, well-coordinated, and well-informed African participation has become more urgent than ever. In response, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), with support from the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) project  the Global Network Initiative (GNI), and Global Partners Digital (GPD), convened a regional stakeholder workshop on May 28, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Held as a pre-event to the 2025 Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), the workshop gathered 37 participants for a multi-stakeholder dialogue on WSIS progress, the future of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and funding equity in global internet governance processes.

Revisiting WSIS and Its Evolving Landscape

The meeting commenced with an overview of WSIS’s significance in shaping global internet policy since its inception in 2003, highlighting the journey from the Geneva and Tunis phases to the current +20 review (WSIS+20). Participants underscored how WSIS frameworks continue to underpin digital policy efforts, especially in developing regions.

Special attention was given to how the WSIS+20 review intersects with emerging frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening Africa’s position in both processes and cautioned against duplicative or conflicting multilateral efforts. Participants called for a harmonised approach that prioritizes human rights and inclusive development.

Regional Dynamics and Country-Level Perspectives

A key component of the meeting focused on lessons learned from country and regional engagement with WSIS+20. Common challenges identified included low public awareness of the process, inadequate coordination mechanisms at the national level, and limited participation in global negotiations. Participants stressed the need to designate clear national focal points and to disseminate accessible information on WSIS milestones and upcoming consultations. They also urged the African Union Commission (AUC) and sub-regional bodies like the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to consolidate African positions, reflecting shared concerns around digital access, online rights, and capacity-building for local actors.

Funding Inequities and Digital Diplomacy Imbalances

A prominent theme was the uneven distribution of financial and institutional support across regions and thematic areas. Delegates observed that limited participation in global forums such as the IGF, WSIS, and the GDC often mirror existing geopolitical and economic disparities, resulting in underrepresentation of African stakeholders due to limited travel support, language barriers, and technical capacity gaps. Participants called for the urgent need for donor and partner commitments to develop equitable funding models. Such models should prioritize grassroots organizations, youth-led initiatives, and actors outside urban areas. Furthermore, participants called for empowering African UN missions in Geneva, New York, and other capitals with the necessary expertise to influence global digital policymaking.

Civil Society’s Role in Shaping Future Digital Governance

Participants also recognised the role of Civil society organizations (CSOs) as a key stakeholder group in advancing digital governance and policy debate especially on issues such as digital rights, access, disinformation, cybersecurity, and feminist internet principles. A call for the WSIS+20 to produce tangible commitments to safeguard online freedoms, protect civic space, and enhance stakeholder inclusiveness was made.

Participants reiterated the importance of maintaining the IGF’s relevance as a multistakeholder platform and urged for sustainable financing, improved intersessional activities, and stronger linkages to policy outcomes to address the fragmentation increasingly seen in digital governance.

Voices from Parliament and the Legal Sector

Lawmakers and legal experts provided insights into domestic legislative processes and how international norms can be integrated into enforceable national frameworks. Discussions centered on data protection legislation, content regulation, and digital inclusion policies, emphasizing the need for increased legislative scrutiny and cross-border cooperation to foster policy coherence across Africa.

Media and Fact-Checking in the Digital Age

Journalists and fact-checkers reflected on the growing threats to information integrity in digital spaces. They emphasized the vital roles of press freedom, online safety, and accountability, highlighting the importance of partnerships between media outlets and civil society to counter disinformation, especially during elections and crises.

Next Steps and Recommendations

To make WSIS+20 and the GDC processes more inclusive and sustainable, participants proposed several key actions:

  • Strengthen national coordination structures for WSIS+20 and GDC engagement 
  • Develop regional position papers ahead of upcoming UN sessions such as the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) 
  • Leverage the 2025 AfIGF as a platform for broader African input into WSIS+20 
  • Establish a knowledge-sharing platform for African stakeholders to exchange resources, experiences, and policy insights

Conclusion

The WSIS+20 regional stakeholder workshop underscored Africa’s critical need to take a more assertive role in global digital governance. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, rapid technological change, and the increasing importance of digital tools in daily life, it is both a challenge and a chance for Africa to assert its digital future on its own terms.

Registration For FIFAfrica25 Now Open!
07Jul

Registration For FIFAfrica25 Now Open!

Author Brian Posted on

By FIFAfrica |

We are excited to announce that registration for the 2025 Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica25) is officially OPEN!

Taking place in Windhoek, Namibia, FIFAfrica25 comes at a pivotal time for Africa’s digital future. As governments, civil society, technologists, and the broader digital society and ecosystem grapple with the evolving dynamics of Artificial Intelligence, platform regulation, surveillance, and internet shutdowns as well as funding for digital rights and governance efforts, this year’s Forum offers a much-needed space for bold conversations, collaborative thinking, and collective action.

Building on the momentum from CIPESA’s and partners’ recent engagements at the regional and global Internet Governance Forums (IGF), contributions to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) +20 Summit, and preparations for the upcoming G20 Summit, the Forum will serve as a key bridge between global digital policy conversations with lived realities, governance priorities, and contexts within the African continent. As digital technologies shape Africa’s political, economic, and social landscape, safeguarding digital rights is essential to building inclusive, participatory, and democratic societies. 

Key themes at FIFAfrica25 will include:

  • AI, Digital Governance, and Human Rights
  • Disinformation and Platform Accountability
  • Internet Shutdowns
  • Digital Inclusion
  • Digital Trade in Africa
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
  • Digital Safety and Resilience

Since 2014, FIFAfrica has created a leading pan-African space for shaping digital rights, inclusion, and governance conversations. Whether you’re a returning member of the FIFAfrica family or joining us for the first time, we invite you to register now and be part of shaping the digital rights agenda on the continent. 

Feedback on Session Proposals and Travel Support Applications

We received an incredible response for the call for session proposals and travel support. While we had anticipated providing feedback on July 4, 2025, we will now be able to provide feedback by July 14, 2025. Thank you for your patience and for contributing to what promises to be an exciting FIFAfrica25.   

Prepare for FIFAfrica25: Travel and Logistics

Everything you need to plan your attendance at the Forum is right here – visit this page for key logistical details and tips to help you make the most of your experience!

Democratising Big Tech: Lessons from South Africa’s 2024 Election
03Jul

Democratising Big Tech: Lessons from South Africa’s 2024 Election

Author Brian Posted on

By Jean-Andre Deenik | ADRF

South Africa’s seventh democratic elections in May 2024 marked a critical turning point — not just in the political sphere, but in the digital one too. For the first time in our democracy’s history, the information space surrounding an election was shaped more by algorithms, platforms, and private tech corporations than by public broadcasters or community mobilisation.

We have entered an era where the ballot box is not the only battleground for democracy. The online world — fast-moving, largely unregulated, and increasingly dominated by profit-driven platforms — has become central to how citizens access information, express themselves, and participate politically.

At the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), we knew we could not stand by as these forces influenced the lives, choices, and rights of South Africans — particularly those already navigating inequality and exclusion. Between May 2024 and April 2025, with support from the African Digital Rights Fund (ADRF), we implemented the Democratising Big Tech project: an ambitious effort to expose the harms of unregulated digital platforms during elections and advocate for transparency, accountability, and justice in the digital age.

Why This Work Mattered

The stakes were high. In the run-up to the elections, political content flooded platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). Some of it was civic-minded and constructive — but much of it was misleading, inflammatory, and harmful.

Our concern wasn’t theoretical. We had already seen how digital platforms contributed to offline violence during the July 2021 unrest, and how coordinated disinformation campaigns were used to sow fear and confusion. Communities already marginalised — migrants, sexual minorities, women — bore the brunt of online abuse and harassment.

South Africa’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, dignity, and access to information. Yet these rights are being routinely undermined by algorithmic systems and opaque moderation policies, most of which are designed and governed far beyond our borders. Our project set out to change that.

Centering People: A Public Education Campaign

The project was rooted in a simple truth: rights mean little if people don’t know they have them — or don’t know when they’re being violated. One of our first goals was to build public awareness around digital harms and the broader human rights implications of tech platforms during the elections.

We launched Legal Resources Radio, a podcast series designed to unpack the real-world impact of technologies like political microtargeting, surveillance, and facial recognition. Our guests — journalists, legal experts, academics, and activists — helped translate technical concepts into grounded, urgent conversations.

We spoke to:

Alongside the podcasts, we used Instagram to host

Holding Big Tech to Account

A cornerstone of the project was our collaboration with Global Witness, Mozilla, and the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT). Together, we set out to test whether major tech companies (TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and X) were prepared to protect the integrity of South Africa’s 2024 elections. To do this, we designed and submitted controlled test advertisements that mimicked real-world harmful narratives, including xenophobia, gender-based disinformation, and incitement to violence. These ads were submitted in multiple South African languages to assess whether the platforms’ content moderation systems, both automated and human, could detect and block them. The findings revealed critical gaps in platform preparedness and informed both advocacy and public awareness efforts ahead of the elections.

The results were alarming.

  • Simulated ads with xenophobic content were approved in multiple South African languages;
  • Gender-based harassment ads directed at women journalists were not removed;
  • False information about voting — including the wrong election date and processes — was accepted by TikTok and YouTube.

These findings confirmed what many civil society organisations have long argued: that Big Tech neglects the Global South, failing to invest in local language moderation, culturally relevant policies, or meaningful community engagement. These failures are not just technical oversights. They endanger lives, and they undermine the legitimacy of our democratic processes.

Building an Evidence Base for Reform

Beyond exposing platform failures, we also produced a shadow human rights impact assessment. This report examined how misinformation, hate speech, and algorithmic discrimination disproportionately affect marginalised communities. It documented how online disinformation isn’t simply digital noise — it often translates into real-world harm, from lost trust in electoral systems to threats of violence and intimidation.

We scrutinised South Africa’s legal and policy frameworks and found them severely lacking. Despite the importance of online information ecosystems, there are no clear laws regulating how tech companies should act in our context. Our report recommends:

  • Legal obligations for platforms to publish election transparency reports;
  • Stronger data protection and algorithmic transparency;
  • Content moderation strategies inclusive of all South African languages and communities;
  • Independent oversight mechanisms and civil society input.

This work is part of a longer-term vision: to ensure that South Africa’s digital future is rights-based, inclusive, and democratic.

Continental Solidarity

In April 2025, we took this work to Lusaka, Zambia, where we presented at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) 2025. We shared lessons from South Africa and connected with allies across the continent who are also working to make technology accountable to the people it impacts.

What became clear is that while platforms may ignore us individually, there is power in regional solidarity. From Kenya to Nigeria, Senegal to Zambia, African civil society is uniting around a shared demand: that digital technology must serve the public good — not profit at the cost of people’s rights.

What Comes Next?

South Africa’s 2024 elections have come and gone. But the challenges we exposed remain. The online harms we documented did not begin with the elections, and they will not end with them.

That’s why we see the Democratising Big Tech project not as a one-off intervention, but as the beginning of a sustained push for digital justice. We will continue to build coalitions, push for regulatory reform, and educate the public. We will work with journalists, technologists, and communities to resist surveillance, expose disinformation, and uphold our rights online.

Because the fight for democracy doesn’t end at the polls. It must also be fought — and won — in the digital spaces where power is increasingly wielded, often without scrutiny or consequence.

Final Reflections

At the LRC, we do not believe in technology for technology’s sake. We believe in justice — and that means challenging any system, digital or otherwise, that puts people at risk or threatens their rights. Through this project, we’ve seen what’s possible when civil society speaks with clarity, courage, and conviction.

The algorithms may be powerful. But our Constitution, our communities, and our collective will are stronger.

CIPESA @ IGF 2025
23Jun

Amplifying African Voices in Global Digital Governance

Author CIPESA Writer Posted on

By CIPESA Writer |

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) will be participating at the 2025 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Norway. The IGF serves as key  global multistakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. This year, the Forum takes place from June 23-27, 2025 in Lillestrom, Norway under the overarching theme of Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future.

CIPESA will contribute expertise across multiple sessions that examine digital rights in the Global South. These include discussions on repressive cyber laws and their impact on civic space, inclusive and harmonised data governance frameworks for Africa, and the barriers to participation in global technical standards development. CIPESA will also join sessions highlighting cross-regional cooperation on data governance, digital inclusion of marginalised groups, and the need for multilingual accessibility in global digital processes. CIPESA will also support a booth (number #57) hosted by the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE)  of which it is a member. The booth will showcase activities and resources, including the winners of the AI Artivism for Digital Rights Competition, the Youth Voices for Digital Rights programme, and much more. Through these engagements, CIPESA enhance and amplify African perspectives on platform accountability, digital justice, and rights-based approaches to internet governance.The insights gathered and shared at the IGF will also inform the upcoming 2025 edition of the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica25) – an event convened annually by CIPESA. The Forum, now in its 12th year ranks as Africa’s leading platform for shaping digital rights, inclusion, and governance conversations. This year, the Forum will be hosted in  Windhoek, Namibia and will take place on September 24–26, 2025.

Here is where to find CIPESA @ IGF2025 ..

Monday, June 23 | 16:00-17:00 (CEST) – Workshop Room 3

Day 0 Event #257:  Enhancing Data Governance in the Public Sector  

This session will examine the state of data governance in the public sector of developing countries, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement. It highlights how current frameworks often centre government institutions while neglecting interoperability, collaboration, and broader policy cohesion. Using global case studies—particularly from Papua New Guinea—it will spotlight challenges and propose innovations like centralized oversight bodies, interoperable platforms, and adaptive governance. Best practices such as real-time analytics, data partnerships, and capacity building will be explored to support scalable and context-specific governance solutions.

Tuesday, June 24 |  14:45–15:45 (CEST) – Workshop Room 4

Open Forum #56: Shaping Africa’s Digital Future: Multi-Stakeholder Panel on Data Governance

As Africa advances its digital transformation, harmonized data governance is critical to unlocking the continent’s potential for inclusive growth and digital trade. Fragmented national policies and inconsistent cross-border data frameworks create barriers to innovation, privacy, and cybersecurity. This session will convene stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to explore strategies for regulatory alignment, trusted data flows, and climate-resilient governance models. Aligned with the AU Data Policy Framework, it will highlight best practices to build a unified, rights-respecting digital economy in Africa.

Tuesday, June 24 | 13:30-15:30 (CEST) –  Room  Studio N

Parliamentary session 4: From dialogue to action: Advancing digital cooperation across regions and stakeholder groups

Host: UN, Stortinget (Norwegian Parliament) and Inter Parliamentary UnionInternet (IPU)

Building on the outputs of the 2024 IGF Parliamentary Track and the discussions held so far in 2025, this multi-stakeholder consultation will bring together MPs and key digital players to reflect on how to operationalize concrete, inclusive and collaborative policymaking efforts. All groups will be invited to propose cooperative approaches to building digital governance and identify practical steps for sustaining cooperation beyond the IGF.

Wednesday, June 25 | 17:30 -19:00(CEST) – Workshop room 4, NOVA Spektrum 

Side event: Aspirations for the India AI Impact Summit

Hosts: CIPESA, Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University Delhi (CCG), United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UN ODET).

This closed-door dialogue aims to spark early conversations toward an inclusive and representative Global AI Impact Summit, focusing on the participation of Global Majority experts. It will explore meaningful engagement in Summit working groups, side events, and knowledge sharing, especially building on insights from the Paris Summit. The session is part of a broader effort to host multiple convenings that strengthen diverse stakeholder participation in global AI governance. By addressing foundational questions now, the dialogue seeks to shape intentional, impactful, and inclusive discussions at the upcoming Summit.

Wednesday June 25 | 09:00-09:45 (CEST) – Workshop Room 4

Networking Session #93: Cyber Laws and Civic Space – Global South–North Advocacy Strategies

Host: CADE

Many governments are enacting cyber laws to address online crime, but these often contain vague provisions that enable repression of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens. In practice, such laws have facilitated mass surveillance, curtailed privacy, and been weaponised to stifle dissent, particularly under authoritarian regimes. This session brings together Global North and Global South civil society actors to exchange experiences, resources, and strategies for resisting repressive cyber legislation. It will focus on how collaborative advocacy can support legal reform and safeguard digital rights through shared tools, solidarity, and policy influence.

Wednesday, June 25 | 14:15–15:30 (CEST) – Workshop Room 4

Open Forum #7: Advancing Data Governance Together – Across Regions

Hosts: CIPESA, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, The Republic of The Gambia

As cross-border data flows grow rapidly, effective data governance is essential for fostering trust, security, and inclusive digital development. However, fragmented national regulations and inconsistent privacy and cybersecurity standards pose challenges to regional and global cooperation. This session brings together stakeholders from Africa, the Eastern Partnership, and the Western Balkans to explore harmonized, interoperable governance models that support responsible data sharing and economic growth. Through collaborative dialogue, the session will identify strategies for aligning data governance with digital rights, innovation, and sustainable development across diverse regional contexts.

Thursday, June 26 | 12:30–13:00 (CEST) – Open Stage

Lightning Talk #90: Tower of Babel Chaos – Tackling the Challenges of Multilingualism for Inclusive Communication

Host: CADE

This interactive session, led by members of the Civil Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE), highlights the communication challenges faced in global digital forums due to linguistic, gender, and geographic diversity. Using a flash-mob-style simulation, participants will experience firsthand the difficulties of multistakeholder dialogue when multiple native languages intersect without common understanding. The session underscores that language is often the most significant barrier to meaningful inclusion in global digital governance. It aims to provoke thought on the urgent need for more multilingual and accessible participation in international digital policy spaces.

Thursday, June 26 | 16:00-17:00 (CEST) – Workshop Room 6

WS #214: AI Readiness in Africa in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

Host: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supported by GIZ

AI has vast potential, but without proper governance, it risks deepening inequality and reinforcing Africa’s dependency on global tech powers. Despite growing local engagement, Africa remains underrepresented in global AI development due to limited investment, regulatory gaps, and the dominance of multinational firms, raising concerns about digital exploitation. This session will bring together diverse voices to explore how Africa can build inclusive, locally rooted AI ecosystems that protect rights and serve regional needs.

Friday, June 27 | 09:00–10:00 (CEST) – Workshop Room 2

Open Forum #34: How Technical Standards Shape Connectivity and Inclusion

Host: Freedom Online Coalition

Technical standards are essential to enabling global connectivity, interoperability, and inclusive digital access, but their development often excludes voices from the Global Majority and marginalized communities. This session will examine how open and interoperable standards can bridge the digital divide, focusing on infrastructure such as undersea cables, network protocols, and security frameworks. It will explore barriers to inclusive participation in standard-setting bodies like the ITU, IETF, IEEE, and W3C, and identify strategies for transparency and multistakeholder engagement. By promoting equitable, rights-respecting technical governance, the session aims to support digital inclusion and advance sustainable development goals.

Friday, June 27 | 11:45–12:30 (CEST) – Workshop Room 6

Networking Session #74: Mapping Digital Rights Capacities and Threats

Host: Oxfam

This session will present findings from multi-country research on digital rights capacities and threats, with a focus on historically marginalised groups in the Global South. It will showcase innovative strategies and tools used to build digital literacy and awareness, using poster presentations from Bolivia, Cambodia, Palestine, Somalia, and Vietnam. Participants will engage in a moderated discussion to share practical approaches and collaborate on building a more inclusive, rights-based digital ecosystem. The session will also contribute to a shared online repository of tools, fostering international cooperation and capacity-building through the ReCIPE program led by Oxfam.

Friday, June 27 | 11:45–12:30 (CEST) – Workshop Room 5

Networking Session #200 – Cross-Regional Connections for Information Resilience 

Host: Proboxve

This networking session brings together participants from diverse regions to connect, share experiences, and develop collaborative strategies for safeguarding information integrity in electoral processes while upholding internet freedoms. The session will address critical challenges such as disinformation, censorship, foreign interference, platform manipulation, and civic education, emphasizing the importance of protecting digital rights, especially during elections.

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