With the deployment of ICT infrastructure across continents, the number of electronic services, information available online and the number of individuals using the internet has increased tremendously.
Today, ICT represents great value for the socio–economic development with many sectors relying fully or partly on ICTs and the internet.
However, this technological advancement has not only had positive attributes but negative ones as well.
In order to create a safe and resilient cyberspace and enable citizens to safely benefit from all the opportunities that exist online, the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA–U) and the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions (DPP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting technical support, capacity building, training and awareness in cyber laws and enhancement of cybercrime investigations and prosecutions.
According to the Director Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, it is important to put in place effective and efficient mechanisms for the fight against cyber offences or cybercrime.
“I decided to create and establish the cyber crimes unit of the DPP as a specialised unit in order to, as a priority, solicit and build relationships with willing entities (both Government and private), to fast track the investigation and prosecution of cyber crimes ,”said Abodo.
Abodo said the success of any nation depends on its capacity to effectively handle such criminal cases and requires specialised skills and knowledge of the technology related laws by law enforcement.
Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, executive director at NITA–U said that litigation will require a fair understanding of technology and its terminologies.
The Uganda Police annual crime report for 2019, reported a total of 248 cybercrime cases during the year compared to 198 cases in 2018.
In 2019, Summit Consulting handled 451 national and regional cyber security cases spread over 204 clients, of which 40 % were assignments that other firms outsourced.
Recently, a cyber-attack incident was reported involving MTN, Airtel, and Stanbic Bank, in which it was reported that billions of shillings had been stolen. Such news causes panic and might instead turn more problematic.
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