Evidence&Methods Lab

The Learning and Reflection Bootcamp on Digital Rights concluded yesterday with a renewed commitment from partners to advance the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda within Uganda’s digital landscape. Over two days, civil society organisations, SMEs, and businesses came together to exchange months of lessons learned, reflect on progress, and identify practical ways to strengthen their impact. Beyond reflection, the bootcamp focused on building long-term sustainability. Sessions on financial literacy and resilience encouraged partners to think beyond seed funding and adopt strategies that ensure continuity and growth. Participants were also supported to integrate a Digital Rights Toolkit into their business models, strengthening cybersecurity practices and enhancing user privacy. The bootcamp concluded with the development of a collaborative roadmap, outlining clear strategies for both CSOs and businesses to champion digital safety, particularly for women and children, while embedding human rights at the core of digital innovation. #BeeraSharp @EnabelinUganda

Today, we held a hands-on Focus Group Discussion in partnership with CIPESA, bringing together 15 business leaders from Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono, and the conversations did not disappoint. We put the Beera Sharp chatbot to the test. Designed to give Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), mobile money agents, and entrepreneurs instant, reliable guidance on data privacy, online security, and digital rights. It’s the kind of tool Uganda’s business community actually needs. The feedback was candid, sharp, and exactly what we came for. Every insight gathered today goes directly into refining Beera Sharp as a tool that works for businesses in this digital era. Uganda’s businesses deserve digital tools built for their reality. Today brought us one step closer. 💡 #CIPESA #DigitalRights #Cybersecurity #BeSecureByDefault #BeeraSharp

Is citizen voice just a moment, or a long-term commitment? In Episode 2, host Michael Richard Katagaya (Evidence and Methods Lab, Uganda) continues the conversation with Mahmoud Hadhoud, Chief Strategic Officer at Open Transformation Lab, moving from reflection to practice. Episode 1 challenged us to rethink citizenship as a verb, while Episode 2 asks a harder question: how do we actually build, strengthen, and protect citizen voice over time? This conversation goes beyond inspiration. It explores the architecture behind civic agency. What does it take to organize communities in ways that are inclusive and sustained? How do movements avoid becoming moments? And how can citizens move from being consulted to becoming co-creators of governance? Michael and Mahmoud unpack why meaningful participation requires long-term ownership, not one-off engagement, how networks, trust, and shared purpose sustain civic momentum, the realities of navigating resistance while staying grounded in non-violent, strategic action, and how platforms like #WeShapeGov and FAAYO are creating structured pathways for feedback, accountability, and service improvement across health, education, and infrastructure. This episode challenges us to rethink power. Not as something held exclusively by institutions, but as something shaped daily by informed citizens who choose to act, organize, and stay engaged. If you care about accountability, governance reform, and building systems that listen, this episode is for you. Join the conversation: Tell us what sustained citizen agency looks like where you live. How are you helping build it? Watch Episode 2 now and follow the conversation. youtu.be/ICGPIamZH-A For more information about Evidence and Methods Lab Uganda, visit: evidenceandmethodslab.org#WeShapeGov #CitizenVoice #Accountability #Governance #CivicEngagement

Welcome back online, Uganda. We condole with those who lost family members and commiserate with those who were affected negatively in any way by the events this past week. While you were away, we were busy documenting and analyzing the events. Here is one of our reports covering 72 hours from January 13, 2026 to the closure of voting on January 15, 2026. Similar analytical pieces can we found on our digital channels and more will be released in the coming days. #UgandaDecides2026 #UGDecides2026 #InternetShutdowns #SpotlightOnUgElections26 #CuratingCitizenVoices #UgVotes2026 #ElectoralIntegrity #CitizenVoices #KeepItOn #UgandaDecides #UgandaElections2026 #DigitalDemocracy

“This digital blackout represented a deliberate and strategic suppression of citizen voices, precisely timed to coincide with a critical democratic exercise. It laid bare a calculated attempt to control the narrative and impede transparency, transforming connectivity itself into a potent political tool.”

🇺🇬 🗳️ How did Ugandans experience the 72 hours of the 2026 elections, in the "dark"? During the critical Jan 13-15 period, Uganda experienced widespread internet shutdown, pre-election crackdowns on critics, arrests, significant electoral irregularities, killings and logistical failures. We analyze all critical digital conversations and posts in that timeframe to produce an analysis that offers multi-platform documentation, amplifying authentic citizen voices and experiences, revealing violations and the profound impact on digital rights and democratic processes. Discover the full scope of the citizen experiences and vital lessons for upholding democratic principles in the digital age. 📊 Full Report: shorturl.at/IYvUh 📝 Blog: shorturl.at/OoDAX #UgandaDecides2026 #UGDecides2026 #InternetShutdowns #SpotlightOnUgElections26 #CuratingCitizenVoices #UgVotes2026 #ElectoralIntegrity #CitizenVoices #KeepItOn #UgandaDecides #UgandaElections2026 #DigitalDemocracy

UGANDA'S ELECTORAL PARADOX: Days before Jan 15, 2026 elections, our survey of 514 citizens reveals a nation ready to vote but uncertain their votes will count. KEY FINDINGS: 📚 68% know election dates, 92% aware of presidential race, BUT 29% don't know polling stations ✅ 78% registered, 80% intend to vote, BUT 84% want voter education they haven't received 🏛️ 55% distrust vote counting, 70% have low confidence in electoral bodies 🔒 78% cite security as barrier, 70% experienced intimidation, 54% fear discussing politics 📱 73.7% rely on social media (misinformation risk) 💪 70% believe voting brings change, YET 55% don't trust votes counted accurately THE YOUTH PARADOX: 18-25 year olds show highest belief in democracy (3.2/5) but LOWEST registration (65%). The most idealistic voters face the highest systemic barriers. THE BOTTOM LINE: From the survey, Uganda's challenge isn't apathy—it's LEGITIMACY. Citizens have knowledge, registration & motivation. What's missing? Confidence the system will honor their participation. Full report: shorturl.at/GrSHR #UGDecides2026 #VoterReadiness #CuratingCitizenVoices #WeShapeGov #Democracy #Elections #VoterEngagement #Africa #DemocraticGovernance #ElectoralIntegrity #CivicParticipation

As Uganda prepares for the 2026 elections, how ready are you as a voter? Take a few minutes to share how prepared you feel, where you are getting election information, and the challenges that may make participation difficult ahead of the elections. This survey is independent, voluntary, and confidential. Take part here: shorturl.at/xoGZu Or scan the QR code. #VoterReadiness #UGDecides2026 #WeShapeGov

@ainamazimasimon Thank you @ainamazimasimon for your submission.

@evidence_method done

@Petersonnick92 Thank you @Petersonnick92 for your submission.

@evidence_method Submitted!!

@bwathefourth Thank you @bwathefourth for your submission.

@evidence_method Done

@Sema_00l Thank you @Sema_00l for your submission.

@azizdawiz2 Thank you @azizdawiz2 for your submission.

@evidence_method Submitted