The National Information Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-U) is awarding millions of shillings in cash to young people that are taking part in their Cybersecurity Quiz dubbed ‘NITA-U Festive Quiz.’ For two weeks now, individuals have won UGX 500,000 from participating and winning in the quiz with groups of at least 5 bagging the UGX 3,000,000 for group entries.
According to Mr. Arnold Mangeni, the Director of Information Security at NITA-U, the quiz runs two questions on different cyber security themes each week targeting the individual entrants and the group winners. The quiz targets online users on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube basing on the most engagements and voting by fellow users. When a question is posted, the top 2 answers with the most engagement each win UGX 500,000 (and a gift hamper) and the UGX 3,000,000 (and a gift hamper) goes to the group entrants.
“The groups of 5 submit a video discussing a selected theme for that week. To be more inclusive, we have set strict guidelines to ensure that among the group of 5 there’s at least a female. Groups that submit all male participants don’t meet the criteria for winning.” Mangeni said.
Originally designed to be a proper physical School Quiz, NITA-U couldn’t execute it since schools are still closed and the format had to be adjusted to online. They had planned it as a hands on Cybersecurity awareness campaign for students but due to the COVID-19 circumstances, it is thriving online.
“We know students are at home and many are online. This Quiz is a way to get them to positively be involved in the said quiz and at the same time create awareness about Cyber Security for themselves and their peers in a way they can understand.” Mangeni clarified.
Andrew Mugisha and Bwire Ian Jeremiah were the first week individual winners and they both walked away with UGX 500,000 cash and goodies from NITA-U. A group consisting of Amanya Brian, Tugume Hastings, Natseli Godfrey, Murangira Boris and Namilo Habibah emerged winners in the group category and took the UGX 3,000,000 week one grand prize. The 5 shared a short video demonstrating the importance of phone security like passwords and the risks associated with it.
For week two, the task for the individual entrants was to give a description of malware while highlighting the types of malware people should avoid. The group task was to recreate a Tendo animation (that had been shared prior) about hacking in a local language of their choice. Janat Kwagala and Sarah Namiiro won the individual prizes while the group of Kenneth Kasasira, Ndyamuhaki Barham, Mugisha Simon, Ajo Clement and Mugenyi Suleiman won the UGX 3,000,000 prize.
The Quiz winners for Week 3 trivia will be announced on Friday 10th December, 2021 ahead of the final week that goes into the festive season. A proper Christmas present, isn’t it?
“I believe in Santa now. I thought he was just in stories and I had always wished for him to check in on me. NITA-U came in the form of Santa this year for me and I am grateful. On top of providing me an opportunity to grasp Cybersecurity and teach my peers, I got cash to celebrate my Christmas.” Kenneth Kasasira, one of the winners said.
With the ongoing Cyber Security Awareness Campaign Be Safe Online, NITA-U pledges to continue to deliver on its promise of safeguarding the Ugandan people every step of the way. Users can follow campaign content online through the website, www.besafeonline.ug or on social media: Twitter: @besafeonlineug and Instagram: @besafeonlineug
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