2016 UIGF to Focus on Internet as a Tool for Peace and Development in Uganda

August 22, 2016
Posted by: admin
Category: Events, News

The Internet Society Uganda Chapter (ISOC Uganda) will on August 26, 2016 host the 10th Uganda Internet Governance Forum (UIGF) at Golf Course Hotel, Kampala Uganda. Under the theme “Internet as a tool for Peace and Development in Uganda”, this year’s UIGF aims to sparkle discussion on how to strike a balance between upholding Internet as a tool for peace and development, given the increasing threats such as increase cyber crime, attacks on online free speech, among others. In general, the forum aims to create awareness and build consensus around national, regional and global Internet governance issues.

Since its inauguration in 2006, the UIGF has continued to discuss and address Internet governance and Policy issues pertinent to the country. To date, nine forums have been held with each addressing different thematic areas.

Uganda has registered major strides in improving Internet connectivity. This has been achieved through investing in ICT infrastructure and network and enabling policy and legal frameworks. Despite these achievements, many Ugandans remain disconnected with an estimated 14.5 million Internet users approximately 39.8% of the population, according to the communications regulator -the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

The 2016 UIGF thus seeks to sparkle discussion to address this challenge by exploring topics such as:

Internet, Innovation and big data; data protection and privacy: This session will explore opportunities and challenges presented by the use of big data in driving innovation and also explore relevant regulations and policies presently governing innovation and big data use in Uganda.

Presentation on the Data Protection and Privacy Bill, 2016. This session aims to get participants feedback on the bill that is currently tabled in Parliament. The bill, first presented to the community in 2014 seeks to protect the privacy of the individual and of personal data by collecting and regulating the collection and processing of personal information; to provide for the rights of the persons whose data is collected and the obligations of data collectors, data processors and data controllers; to regulate the use or disclosure of personal information; and for related matters.
Internet Governance around the globe. This session will explore current Internet Governance trends and developments around the globe and present opportunity for participation from the Uganda community. Topics will vary from net neutrality; IPv6 deployment, IANA transition among others.
Internet, censorship and surveillance Uganda: This session will recap censorship incidents to-date analyzing the impact including economic impact and showing which other countries do similar things, highlighting different technologies and ways users can work around the problem, and hold an open discussion on the issue of Governance.

The 10th Uganda Internet Governance Forum will offer a series of recommendations that will inform Internet policy development in Uganda.