Uganda’s Child Online Protection Campaign began at Kololo Senior Secondary School on 7th October 2026 to equip learners with practical skills to recognise online risks, protect their personal information and report abuse.

Speaking at the launch, Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, who represented the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, said child protection must extend to the digital spaces where young people learn, communicate and spend their time. “Children should not be kept out of the digital world; they should be equipped to navigate it safely,” she said.

The countrywide campaign comes amid findings that many learners experience online harm without seeking help. Presenting results from a survey of more than 5,700 students at Kololo Senior Secondary School, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Director of Economic Regulation, Content and Consumer Affairs, Julianne Rwakakoko Mweheire, said 88.5% had encountered digital harms, including cyberbullying, misinformation and hate speech. Some 70.1% had encountered sexual messages.

Among those who experienced online risks, 74.2% never told anyone, including their parents.

“Children, you are exposed, but you are largely silent. That silence is a danger. A child who will not report abuse cannot be protected,” she said.

The survey also found that 98.4% of learners knew how to use the internet, while 36.2% spent more than four hours online each day. Although drawn from one school, the findings show why online safety needs sustained attention rather than occasional sensitisation.

Dr. Zawedde brought a personal perspective to the discussion, recalling conversations with her own children about digital footprints and internet use. She said such discussions should be part of everyday life at home and in classrooms.

She recognised the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, for her commitment to keeping children safe online. She also acknowledged the work of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, UNICEF and other partners in addressing child abuse, trafficking and other violations of children’s rights.

That protection, she said, must now respond to risks such as online grooming, harassment and exposure to inappropriate content.

Dr. Zawedde encouraged learners to pursue the opportunities technology offers, from education and access to information to creativity and innovation. She recalled how online platforms helped sustain teaching and learning during the COVID-19 school closures. “We want you to dream big, to be the innovators, the content creators, and the tech leaders of tomorrow,” she said.

She called on technology companies to design safer platforms, strengthen reporting mechanisms and respond promptly to harmful content. Parents and guardians were urged to take an active interest in their children’s online activities, while teachers were encouraged to build learners’ digital skills and judgement.

UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said children’s growing use of digital platforms makes cooperation between families, schools, Government, security agencies and technology companies essential. “The internet brings enormous opportunities, but it also presents real risks to children,” he said.

Through sustained awareness activities, the campaign will help learners identify harmful behaviour and seek support from trusted adults, while giving parents and teachers the knowledge to guide them.

Dr. Zawedde’s advice to students was direct: “Think before you post, protect personal information, be careful about who you engage with online, and speak to a trusted adult when something online makes you uncomfortable or puts you at risk.”