NFSU – Uganda Campus Launches First Edition Of Cyber Awareness Run 2026 In Jinja

The Deputy Director of the National Forensic Sciences University (India) Uganda Campus, Mr. Arun Sharma, together with the UPDF Jinja Cantonment Commander, Maj Gen Emmanuel Kanyesigye, have today launched the 1st Edition of the NFSU Cyber Security Awareness Run 2026 at Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja.

Mr. Arun Sharma represented the Campus Director, Air Commodore Kedar Thaakar, at the run.

In his remarks, Mr. Arun Sharma noted that the Campus is exclusively dedicated to offering forensic sciences. He said the day’s inaugural Cyber Security Awareness Run is historic and the first Edition in Uganda, East Africa and Africa, and it aims at spreading Cyber Security Awareness deep into the surrounding communities to protect citizens from the emerging wave of online fraud, identity theft, cyber bullying and misuse of digital platforms.

He applauded the community for embracing the Cyber Security Awareness Run, saying “Being Forewarned is Being Forearmed.”

He said: “We are living in a transformed world where everything has changed and most transactions are digital, for example mobile money and studying online.”

The Deputy Director NFSU explained that as reliance on mobile money, online banking and social media increases, public cyber awareness becomes critical in reducing vulnerabilities to cybercrime.

He, therefore, noted that Cyber Security or the protection of passwords or fingerprints is critical and belongs everywhere, not only in boardroom computers but extends to mobile phones.

Mr. Arun Sharma added that just like road accidents, most errors in the digital world are due to human errors, not forensic science.

“4 out of 10 Ugandans have become victims of cybercrime, therefore in Uganda Cyber Security is basically a human error,” he said, further imploring people to be vigilant and aware of the disadvantages of cyber insecurity to their money and assets.

He, therefore, implored citizens to be cautious while making any transactions in the digital world. “Let us together continue building a safe digital world,” he concluded, further thanking all participants in the run and sponsors for enhancing a safer digital world.

Mr. Arun Sharma requested Government to gazette October 17th each year as Cyber Security Awareness Run Day.

The Cantonment Commander, who also doubled as the Chief Runner, Maj Gen Emmanuel Kanyesigye, commended participants for embracing the Cyber Run 2026, saying the run is in recognition of the Cyber Security Awareness Month.

He urged every Ugandan to become a Cyber Security Expert because it is now a way of life. “Almost every adult Ugandan in one way or another now uses mobile money services, hence the need to build a strong Cyber Security Awareness network so that mobile money is secure,” he elaborated.

He added that mobile money security is everyone’s responsibility. “Everyone must make sure that security of his or her money is their responsibility,” he emphasised.

As he declared the run closed, Maj Gen Kanyesigye also noted that running (physical exercises) also frees the body from Non-Communicable Diseases, noting that “a healthy nation is a wealthy one, and thus able to uphold and embrace Cyber Security Awareness in the surrounding communities.”

The Acting Director Information Security Services at NITA-Uganda, Mr. Johnson Tumusiime, who represented the Executive Director, Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, noted that cyber security threats are on the increase, which makes cyber security awareness a national issue.

He thanked NFSU for the initiative of supporting the community, through cyber security sensitisation campaigns, since mobile money services and digitalisation attract hackers.

“Cyber security starts with you, and the more we digitalise, the more we expose ourselves,” he emphasised. Mr. Tumusiime urged citizens to use digital services responsibly. “We can only build cyber security services through awareness,” he said.

Participants at the run were drawn from the Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka, Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, School of Supplies – Jinja, Uzima, Jinja District Administration, YMCA, Uganda Rapid Deployment Centre, NFSU – Uganda Campus, and National Defence College – Uganda, among others.

Mr. Omusuga Nathan emerged 1st in the 21km race and won a gold medal and a cash prize of UGX 500,000, silver medal and cash prize of UGX 300,000 went to Nkutu Sulaiman, while the bronze medal and UGX 200,000 went to Mukose Francis.

Uzima, Fitness Park, CIO – CXO Digital Leadership Forum, Bank of Baroda Limited, Jinja District, NITA-U, UCC and Diamond Trust Bank, among others, sponsored the 21km and 10km Cyber Security Awareness Run 2026 on the streets of Jinja City.

NFSU – Uganda Campus was inaugurated on April 12, 2022 at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Centre, Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja, by the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Hajjat Rukia Nakadama, and India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar.

The campus aims at sharing India’s expertise with Ugandans and other countries in forensic sciences.