Judiciary Steps Up Fight Against Digital Crime as Judges, Magistrates Undergo ICT Training

What the report says

Uganda’s Judiciary has begun specialised ICT training for judges and magistrates to improve how courts handle cybercrime, digital evidence and other technology-related disputes, according to Nile Post. The three-day programme opened at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa in Kigo and is being run by the Judicial Training Institute in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

The training covers issues such as deepfakes, online defamation, cryptocurrency offences, privacy disputes, digital currencies and the management of evidence from phones, social media, CCTV, location data and financial transactions. Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi said judicial officers need stronger technological and forensic literacy so that digital evidence does not stand in the way of justice. He said courts are increasingly seeing cases that involve complex online activity and cross-border elements.

UCC Executive Director George William Thembo Nyombi said the partnership is meant to help the Judiciary understand the digital environment and the tools behind modern communications-related cases. State Minister for ICT Joyce Nabbosa Sebuggwawo said a digitally literate Judiciary is important for a safe and inclusive digital economy. The effort comes as Uganda, like many countries, faces expanding use of social media, mobile money, digital finance and online platforms, which can create both new opportunities and new forms of harm and litigation.