Uganda Marks International Data Privacy Day with DPOs Masterclass

Uganda Data Privacy Day was marked with a Masterclass for Data Protection Officers (DPOs), organized by the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) in partnership with CIPESA Uganda. The event focused on strengthening DPOs’ capacity to move beyond compliance and assume strategic roles in organizational leadership.

Uganda Data Privacy Day Masterclass Empowers DPOs

The Masterclass brought together DPOs from various sectors to explore their evolving role in privacy and data protection. Participants learned to position themselves as key contributors to decision-making, risk management, and sustainable business growth, instead of focusing solely on regulatory compliance.

Baker Birikujja emphasized that many serious privacy breaches arise not from hackers but from everyday human actions. “Some of the most damaging privacy incidents do not begin with a hacker. They begin with a printed report left on a desk, a patient file discussed in an open corridor, a visitor register exposed at reception, an unlocked cabinet, a USB moved just for convenience, a CCTV feed accessed casually, or a phone call handled without discretion,” he explained.

He reminded attendees that personal data exists in multiple forms and deserves protection regardless of format. “Personal data is not only online. It exists on paper, in registers, filing cabinets, recordings, photographs, CCTV footage, and even in everyday conversations. It deserves the same discipline and respect wherever it sits,” Birikujja added.

DPOs as Strategic Advisors

Mrs. Barbra Among Arinda, Executive Director of the Credit Reference Bureaus Association Uganda Ltd, highlighted the strategic importance of DPOs. “A Data Protection Officer is a strategic advisor. Your role is to advise management on compliance matters, risk mitigation, and recommendations while preserving business revenue and integrity,” she said.

She encouraged DPOs to bridge the gap between regulation and operations by translating legal and regulatory risks into practical business outcomes.

Strengthening Uganda’s Commitment to Data Protection

The Masterclass reinforced Uganda’s commitment to data protection and privacy. It empowered professionals to safeguard personal data in both digital and physical environments, ensuring organizations meet compliance standards while protecting individuals’ privacy rights.