Uganda strengthens cybersecurity defense with updated framework
After a security breach in 2024, Uganda has upgraded it's cybersecurity framework to ensure protection of state infrastructure.
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The Ugandan government has launched the updated National Information Security Framework (NISF) 2026 to safeguard state infrastructure and combat a surge in digital security threats.
The modernized framework, developed under the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project, introduces strict security tools and baseline controls to enhance cyber resilience across all public institutions.
The strategy arrives during a period of escalating digital risk for the nation. Recent industry data reveals a 60% year-on-year increase in cyberattacks within Uganda. In November 2024, a security breach cost the Bank of Uganda UGX 62 billion ($16.8 million).
Read more: Experts reveal how you can protect your organisation against cyber attacks
This updated framework reflects a broader pan-African trend, as governments across the continent increasingly prioritize cybersecurity alongside rapid digital transformation.
Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, emphasized that safeguarding digital infrastructure is now directly tied to the nation’s core stability during her address at the launch event.
“As government delivers more services digitally, we must ensure those services are safe, reliable and trusted,” Lumumba stated. “Information security is no longer just an ICT issue. It is a matter of national security, economic development, public service delivery and public trust. Cyber safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
To ensure compliance, the ministry has directed all government entities to coordinate directly with the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U). According to Dr Hatwib Mugasa, Executive Director of NITA-U, the 2026 framework shifts the national strategy from basic threat awareness to active technical execution, establishing a secure digital ecosystem for public services.
