Uganda: Women Activists Call for Urgent Cyber Law Reforms Amid Rising Online Gender-Based Violence

Uganda's technology sector stands at a critical regulatory crossroads as women's rights advocates intensify pressure for comprehensive cyber law reforms. The East African nation's existing digital legislation is increasingly viewed as inadequate in addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), a growing concern that extends beyond social justice to encompass serious business and investment implications for European operators in the region. The current legal framework governing cybercrime in Uganda, primarily the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, was enacted in 2011—a period when artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, and sophisticated online harassment mechanisms barely existed. This regulatory lag has created a governance vacuum precisely when Uganda's digital economy is accelerating. According to recent telecommunications data, Uganda's internet penetration exceeds 50%, with mobile internet usage driving digital commerce, fintech adoption, and e-commerce platforms that European investors are increasingly targeting. For European entrepreneurs operating digital platforms, marketplaces, or social media services in Uganda, the absence of clear TFGBV frameworks presents both liability and reputational risks. Without robust legal standards defining platform responsibility for user-generated content targeting women, investors face unpredictable enforcement actions and potential boycotts from progressive consumer segments. Several European tech companies operating across East Africa have encountered significant brand damage from inadequate content moderation