Uganda has launched Operation Cyber Digital Shield, a nationwide initiative aimed at bolstering its cyber-defense capabilities. The program, led by the Cyber Security and Forensics Association of Uganda (CSFAU), seeks to recruit and train a formal force of cyber war fighters to protect the country against increasingly sophisticated digital threats.

The initiative follows a recent university student competition, Cyber Stars, and is part of a broader effort to enhance Uganda’s national cybersecurity strategy. According to CSFAU Director Marvin Kashaija Blessed, the country has traditionally relied on external expertise, but is now shifting its focus to developing home-grown talent. “Cyber-attacks are the new form of economic and geopolitical warfare, targeting our critical national infrastructure,” Kashaija said. “By investing in our local talent, we are strengthening our borders in the digital domain.”

The recruitment campaign is supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which emphasizes the need for urgent investment in local human capacity to combat the economic toll of cybercrime. “The global cost of cybercrime is staggering,” said Christine Mujimba, UCC’s Director of ICT and Research. “By training the younger generation through practical, outcome-based learning, we are closing the skills gap and reinforcing national defenses against digital fraud and data breaches.”

Operation Cyber Digital Shield offers various membership pathways, including professional, student, and affiliate tiers, to attract experts, students, and non-technical professionals. CSFAU President Muganhwa Emmanuel Cliff described the campaign as a national call to service, urging citizens to join the effort to protect the country’s data, systems, and sovereignty.

The initiative is expected to run nationwide, with CSFAU serving as the central command structure for building Uganda’s next generation of cyber-defense experts. As the country moves to enhance its cyber-defense capabilities, the success of Operation Cyber Digital Shield will be crucial in safeguarding Uganda’s digital infrastructure and economy. With the global cost of cybercrime projected to continue rising, Uganda’s investment in local talent and cybersecurity measures is a significant step towards strengthening its national defenses.