Uganda hosts validation workshop on draft data protection guidelines and regulations

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

The Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) in Uganda has commenced a two-day validation workshop on draft Data Protection Guidelines and Regulations in Kampala, bringing together key stakeholders to refine the country’s data protection framework.

The workshop, held at the Fairway Hotel, aims to gather input on draft guidelines developed under the Data Protection and Privacy Act and its accompanying regulations. The initiative is intended to simplify compliance requirements for data controllers and processors while strengthening the enforcement of data protection standards.

Discussions during the workshop are focused on critical areas including data security breach notification, data protection by design and default, data protection impact assessments, and the establishment of an alternative dispute resolution framework. Other areas under review include the legal grounds for processing personal data, exemptions from registration, information security standards, the designation of data protection officers, and mechanisms for institutional collaboration.

According to the PDPO, the validation process is designed to ensure that the final guidelines are practical, inclusive, and aligned with evolving data protection needs. Stakeholders are expected to provide insights that will help shape a robust regulatory environment that promotes privacy, accountability, and trust in Uganda’s digital ecosystem.

The workshop continues with further deliberations aimed at finalizing the frameworks to support effective implementation of data protection laws in the country.