UCC Launches Cyber Stars Competition as Uganda Steps Up Cybersecurity Efforts

What the report says

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has launched the fourth Cyber Stars Competition as part of broader efforts to strengthen cybersecurity in Uganda. According to SoftPower News, the initiative is being run through the Uganda Computer Emergency Response Team (UgCERT) and focuses on helping university students build practical skills for identifying and responding to cyber threats.

SoftPower News reported that the competition has drawn more than 180 students from 25 universities. The launch took place on Tuesday at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Nakawa, in Kampala. The event brings together teams and participants from across the higher education sector, reflecting growing attention to digital safety and cyber preparedness.

The reported aim of the program is to prepare young people for practical work in cybersecurity and improve the country’s pool of talent in a field that is becoming increasingly important as digital services expand. In general terms, competitions like this are often used to encourage training, problem-solving and awareness of online risks, though the article excerpt does not provide additional details on judging criteria, winners or later stages of the contest.

The development matters because it shows how Uganda’s communications authorities are pairing awareness efforts with hands-on training to respond to cyber threats. Based on the supplied evidence, the launch forms part of a wider national push to improve resilience in the digital space.