Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) has unveiled a landmark Data Protection and Privacy Compliance Toolkit, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s data protection and privacy practices.
The toolkit, developed in collaboration with the Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU), provides a comprehensive resource packed with practical tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance that organisations can use to assess their data protection practices, identify gaps, and take corrective actions.
Speaking at the launch, National Data Protection Director, Ms. Stella Alibateese, said, “This toolkit is more than just a guide; it is a roadmap to compliance, a catalyst for change, and a tool for building a safer data privacy ecosystem.”
Alibateese emphasized that the compliance toolkit is designed to empower organisations, both large and small, to navigate the complexities of data protection with confidence and clarity. “By utilizing this comprehensive resource, organisations will be able to understand and implement the requirements of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, Cap 97,” she added.
Mr. Joseph Lutwama, Director of Programs at FSDU, noted that the toolkit is essential for ensuring the safe and secure use of personal data, particularly in the financial sector. “Our goal is to ensure that as many Ugandans have access to financial services, but this requires individuals to share their personal data so that financial institutions know who they are and how to support them,” he explained.
Lutwama emphasized the need for a conducive regulatory environment to ensure that personal data is safe. “We therefore need a conducive regulatory environment to ensure that their personal data is safe. Having a toolkit to support safe and secure use of personal data is one way to achieve that,” he said.
Dr. Annabella Habinka, a member of the Board of the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda, highlighted the toolkit’s significance in promoting a culture of data protection and privacy in Uganda. “The toolkit is a significant milestone for Uganda and for PDPO, as it aligns well with the Office’s vision of ‘a Uganda where data protection and privacy is understood and practiced by all,'” she said.
Habinka emphasized the importance of the toolkit, saying, “It is designed to help organisations move beyond mere compliance to embracing data protection as a core value, and I implore all organisations to fully utilise it.”
The launch of the toolkit was followed by a two-day training of trainers’ workshop, aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to train others within their organisations and sectors. Businesses and stakeholders are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable resource. For more details and to access the toolkit, please contact compliance@pdpo.go.ug.
