Unwanted Witness Launches Groundbreaking Report on Surveillance Threats to Civil Society in East & Southern Africa


On 10th June 2025, Unwanted Witness, in partnership with MISA Zimbabwe, the Open Society Foundations, and the Ford Foundation, launched a powerful new report titled: “Surveillance/Spyware: An Impediment to Civil Society, HRDs & Journalists in East & Southern Africa.”

The report reveals how unchecked government surveillance and the growing use of spyware are stifling free expression, intimidating dissenting voices, and threatening democracy across East and Southern Africa. It documents how digital surveillance practices, often deployed without legal oversight or accountability, are used to target human rights defenders (HRDs), journalists, activists, and other civil society actors.

“The right to communicate freely and privately is fundamental to democracy and protected under international law,” Dorothy Mukasa, Executive Director-Unwanted Witness. “Yet this right is under siege as states and non-state actors deploy increasingly sophisticated tools to monitor, intimidate, and silence dissent.”


Data Protection

EMPOWERING YOU WITH CONTROL OVER YOUR PRIVACY AND DIGITAL LIFE

We raise awareness about the risks associated with the processing of personal data online and offline. This includes educating individuals about the types of data that are typically collected by companies and how that data can be used..

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Freedom of expression & other Internet Freedoms

AMPLIFYING YOUR VOICE, PRESERVING YOUR ONLINE FREEDOM

Through our lobbying efforts, we engage with the government and other stakeholders to promote internet freedoms and prevent censorship. As a human rights organization, we are committed to defending the rights of internet users and ensuring that they are not violated. We believe that an open and secure internet is essential for the promotion of democracy, human rights, and social justice.

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Policy and Legal Reform

DRIVING CHANGE THROUGH POLICY AND LEGAL REFORM

We work with other organizations and stakeholders to advocate for policy and legal reforms that promote digital rights and freedoms in Uganda. We also monitors the implementation of existing laws and policies to ensure that they are aligned with international human rights standards.

In order to understand the level of compliance, Unwanted Witness conducts an annual legal compliance assessment for selected countries in Africa. The 2023 Privacy Scorecard report was first launched at the 5th Privacy Symposium Africa in Port Louis, Mauritius.

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Digital Inclusion

DIGITAL INCLUSION FOR ALL

Our Digital Inclusion and Innovation Program is focused on promoting digital inclusion in Uganda and beyond, particularly among marginalized communities, and fostering innovation in the digital space. The program aims to bridge the digital divide, increase access to digital technologies, and promote the use of digital platforms for social and economic development.

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Advocacy and Research

RESEARCHING FOR CHANGE , ADVOCATING FOR IMPACT

We carry out research activities to identify challenges that individuals and communities face regarding digital rights and freedoms in Uganda and beyond. We conduct evidence-based research, which provides a basis for the formulation of policy recommendations that guide our advocacy activities. Through research, we identify the gaps in digital rights and freedoms policies and highlight issues that require urgent attention from policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders.

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Digital Identity

LEGAL AID FOR AN EQUITABLE SOCIETY

We are committed to providing legal aid services to individuals who have experienced digital rights violations in Uganda. We understand the importance of legal representation in ensuring that victims receive justice and compensation. We partner with legal organizations and lawyers to provide these services and make them accessible to those who need them the most. We believe that every individual has the right to access justice and receive fair treatment under the law.

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OUR LATEST NEWS

March 4, 2024

Over 80% of African countries have adopted Data Protection laws but compliance is still low.

To date 36 African countries have adopted Data Protection laws and institutional frameworks, signaling positive efforts […]
January 22, 2024

Press Release: Revealing Privacy Gaps: Unwanted Witness Exposes Transparency Crisis, Explores Regulators’ Role in Latest Scorecard

The report is a precursor to the world International Data Privacy Day celebrated every January 28. This year’s International Data Privacy Day is themed "Take Control of Your Privacy.”
August 15, 2023

The Essential Role of Cost-Free Access to Personal Data in the Digital Age

As we navigate the intricacies of a data-driven world, upholding cost-free access is not only a legal and ethical obligation but a demonstration of respect for the right to privacy, and the principles that underpin a just and equitable digital society.

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