KIU Hosts Landmark Cybersecurity Seminar to Strengthen Digital Safety Awareness

KIU, Western Campus - Kampala International University (KIU), Western Campus, hosted a high-impact seminar on cybersecurity on September 12, 2025, attracting over 120 physical participants and a wide virtual audience from across Uganda and beyond. The event, organised by the Directorate of Research, Innovations, Consultancy and Extension (D-RICE) in collaboration with the Faculty of Science and Technology, aimed to equip the university community with practical knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving digital landscape.

The seminar featured a dynamic lineup of experts from Uganda Police’s cybersecurity unit, the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU), KIU’s ICT Directorate, and doctoral researchers specialising in digital safety. Topics ranged from incident response and ethical considerations to personal data protection and safe social media practices.

Among the key facilitators were SSP Achiria Godfrey (RPC Greater Bushenyi), SP Tayebwa Apollo (Regional Community Liaison Officer & Police PRO – Greater Bushenyi), SP Ahimbisibwe Brain (Regional ICT Officer), and AIP Opeitum John Micheal (Regional ICT Maintenance Officer), all from the Uganda Police, who led discussions on cybersecurity ethics and response strategies. Mr. William Kibirango from RENU spoke on everyday cyber threats, while Dr. Bashir O. Sadiq, Director of ICT at KIU-WC, focused on university-specific vulnerabilities and solutions.

PhD candidates Ibrahim Adabara and Akampurira Paul provided insights into personal data protection and social media security, respectively, offering practical demonstrations that gave students hands-on experience with basic security tools. The seminar emphasised the importance of strong password policies, multifactor authentication, and regular system updates. It also fostered collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the university’s commitment to digital resilience.

Assoc. Prof. Yale Ibrahim D. (FCAI), Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, praised the seminar’s impact, noting that participants left with a heightened sense of responsibility and readiness to safeguard their digital environments. The event was held at the University Staff Common Room and supported by the university’s management, Uganda Police, RENU, and various administrative units. It marked a significant step in KIU’s ongoing efforts to promote cybersecurity awareness and build a culture of digital vigilance.