Milima Security has officially released the Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM) 2025 Report, marking what the organisation describes as a “historic year of nationwide impact” as digital threats escalate across Uganda.
The report was launched on Friday at Fairway Boutique Hotel in Kampala, bringing together partners, government representatives, academia, and regional champions who led the grassroots Cybershields campaign.
CSAM Becomes a National Movement
According to Milima, the 2025 campaign expanded far beyond its previous format — reaching 10,004,067+ Ugandans, running three regional Cybershields, and hosting a two-day EastCon Symposium.
“This year, CSAM wasn’t just an event — it became a movement. Ugandans showed a strong hunger for cybersecurity knowledge as AI-driven threats continue to rise,” said Milima Security CEO Emmanuel Chagara.
The organisation registered a 520% growth in Facebook reach and more than 1,700 digital engagements, signalling heightened public concern over scams, fraud, and online attacks.
Communities Recognised for Leading the Cyber Charge
At the launch, Milima Security honoured outstanding communities that championed cybersecurity during the regional Cybershields. These included: Ministry of ICT & National Guidance / National ICT Innovation Hub (represented by Winfred Nakanja), Lira City Council, Mbarara University of Science & Technology (Kihumuro Campus) and Uganda Christian University – Mbale Campus.
Their grassroots work helped carry cybersecurity education into homes, schools, SACCOs, businesses, and district leadership structures.
Cybercrime Surge Drives Urgency
Milima Security CEO Chagara delivered a stark warning: cybercrime is now among the top three global threats to business, with attacks rising 36% in 2024 alone.
“Many attacks succeed because the basics aren’t known,” Chagara said. “Passwords are too weak, digital hygiene is poor, and cyber awareness is still low in many communities. This is why we took CSAM deep into the regions — cybersecurity must be accessible to everyone.”
This year’s campaign stretched across all four regions: Lira (Northern Uganda), Mbarara (Western Uganda), Mbale (Eastern Uganda) and Kampala (Central Uganda). The reception was overwhelming.
Across the country, citizens raised fears about AI-powered scams, cyber fraud, and personal data exposure.
Milima Security credited its success to a broad coalition of partners, with notable contributions from: MTN Uganda, MTN MoMo Uganda, Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Uganda, Echo Uganda and National ICT Innovation Hub.
“Taking the campaign to different regions showed true inclusion. This year felt different — it felt national,” said Patricia Mbawa, who represented MTN MoMo.
Another partner from Liquid Technologies, Isaac Kasaija, noted, “We saw a sharp increase in cybersecurity inquiries and engagements. People are finally seeking help.” “The community response grew significantly. People wanted to understand real cyber risks.”
The Ministry of ICT, represented by Winfred Nakanja, praised the EastCon hackathon: “The hackathon at EastCon was exceptional — it attracted students and gave them a practical, creative way to engage with cybersecurity.”
Chagara, who also founded the Milima Cyber Academy, said the institution was created to bridge Uganda’s cybersecurity skills gap. “We built the Academy because we struggled to find cybersecurity talent. Uganda needs skilled defenders to meet the threats ahead,” he said.
The CSAM 2025 report reaffirms a shift already underway: Ugandans — from businesses to villages — now recognise that cybersecurity is no longer optional.
