3.1.2 Increased focus on enterprises African economic growth has been steady for 25 years, but the continent has not fully enjoyed the benefits of digitalisation for economic and social progress. Also, policymakers are becoming more aware of the need to secure the digital future, as cybersecurity became part of the African Union Agenda 2063. Business operations have shifted further online during the COVID-19 pandemic, placing increased demands on private sector cybersecurity practices. MSMEs are often the most common size of business within a country and make up a significant part of national economy as 90% of businesses are MSMEs, 50% of employment stems from MSMEs, and formal MSMEs contribute up to 40% of Gross Domestic Product in emerging economies. Thus, Uganda has to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation. MSMEs are also often least able to tackle cybersecurity. This puts SMEs in need of cybersecurity awareness activities, accessible cybersecurity guidelines and tools. The Government will provide its support and dedicated programs for MSMEs to enhance the awareness how to safely conduct business in today’s networked environment. Uganda will develop a scheme that will help small and medium size enterprises to protect their organizations, against the most common cyberattacks. Governmental cybersecurity web portal will provide guidelines and awareness-raising materials and initiatives focused on MSMEs. The compromise of personal data can damage the legitimate rights and interests of cause adverse disruptions to the affected individuals and businesses. With increasing amounts of data migrating to computer systems and electronic devices, there is a need to secure these systems and safeguard individuals’ data against theft and misuse. At the same time, organisations can leverage good personal data management to gain a better understanding of their customers, increase business efficiency and effectiveness, and boost customer confidence. Uganda through the Personal Data Protection Office will intensify the work with private organizations to embrace data protection as part of their corporate culture and take reasonable steps to manage and secure personal information that they hold. Through industry briefings, online training resources, and advisory guidelines, MSMEs will be equipped with information on the requirements of the Data Protection Act and good data management practices. 3.1.3 Action Areas By fostering safe and trusted digital economy, the Government of Uganda (GoU) will: a) Implement digital identity to facilitate utilization of e-services GoU will pilot the UgPass to implement a whole-of-nation PKI and deploy the essential enabling building blocks for modern and safe e-services. The standards for electronic signatures will be updated and described. GoU will continue to scale the usage of PKI within government IT enabled services and applications. b) Prioritise support for SMEs GoU will provide support by providing cybersecurity guidelines and standards for voluntary compliance and dedicated capacity building programs for MSMEs to enhance the awareness on how safely conduct business in today’s networked environment. As part of the program GoU will work with private organizations to embrace cybersecurity and data protection as part of their corporate culture. 18 (43) [Draft Version for stakeholder consultation]