The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has raised concern over growing online threats facing children, including cyberbullying, sexual content, harassment, misinformation and hate speech.

The warning follows a survey conducted among students at Kololo Senior Secondary School in Kampala, where 88.5 percent of the students said they had encountered various forms of digital harm.

The survey also found that 70.1 percent of the students had been exposed to sexual messages, images or videos, while 74.2 percent said they never reported such experiences, including to their parents.

UCC Director Julianne Rwakakoko Mweheire described the low rate of reporting as a major challenge to protecting children online.

The findings were released today as UCC launched a 90-day Child Online Protection Campaign at Kololo Senior Secondary School in Kampala. The campaign is targeting more than 100 schools across the country.

UCC Executive Director Thembo Nyombi said the campaign is aimed at equipping children with the knowledge and skills needed to safely navigate the digital world through increased awareness, digital literacy and stronger reporting mechanisms.

Nyombi urged children to protect their personal information, avoid engaging in online harassment and promptly report threats, abuse or other harmful online experiences to trusted adults.

The campaign will also involve parents, teachers, telecommunications operators, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations in efforts to strengthen child protection in the digital space.

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