Tabitha Namwone

Selected as a mentee in the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme by Strathmore University’s iLabAfrica in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank. Over six months, I will be engaged in a structured development experience combining technical cybersecurity training, mentorship, and career readiness to enhance knowledge and confidence in the cybersecurity ecosystem in Africa. Core learning modules: • Introduction to Information Security. • Approaches to Managing Cyber Security Risk – NIST Deep Dive • Cyber Resilience & Cyber Testing • Innovation & Cyber Security in Africa • Soft Skills: Personal Branding & Professional Growth Key outcomes: • Strengthening foundational cybersecurity and risk management skills • Applying international frameworks (NIST) to contextual African challenges • Building cyber resilience mindset and testing strategies • Growing professional presence through personal branding and mentorship • Expanding regional network in cybersecurity across East Africa

-Designed and delivered 30+ customized digital security training sessions for human rights defenders, journalists, youth groups, NGOs, and civil society organizations. -Trained organizations including Femme Forte Uganda, Nile Girls Forum, CYGEN, Research Code Resolve, and community groups through partnerships with Internews, Google, and local tech communities. -Conducted comprehensive SAFETAG security audits for high-risk organizations, including critical work with LGBTQ+ organizations during Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill crisis. -Led technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) workshops during international campaigns, including 16 Days of Activism, translating digital safety into physical safety outcomes. -Provided expert consultation on threat modelling, organizational security policies, secure communications, and incident response planning. -Developed actionable security recommendations that have secured funding and infrastructure support from international partners including Internews and Defend Defenders. -Facilitated digital safety ideathons and collaborative innovation sessions for community protection strategies. -Delivered integrated technical and psychosocial safety training for holistic protection of vulnerable populations. -Moderated industry panels and security discussions with leading organizations including Milima Security, MTN Uganda, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and Echo Technologies. Key Projects & Achievements: -Security audit for at-risk LGBTQ+ organization leading to funded security infrastructure improvements (2023) -TFGBV workshops during 16 Days of Activism 2025 with CYGEN and Research Code Resolve (2025) -Women's Online Security Ideathon engaging 40+ participants (2022) -Open community digital security workshop at Tatu Collective (2025) -Safe Sisters Security Tools Fellowship trainings for human rights defenders and journalists (Internews & Google) (2021- 2025)

Coordinated a network of 15 business hubs and 8 university communities under the NSSF Hi-Innovator Program, engaging 10,000+ participants through 20+ events. Managed a Learning Management System for 81,000+ users, leading the rollout of a new platform to enhance scalability and user experience. Designed educational programs that enabled 400+ businesses to access 20k USD in seed funding.

My reach within communities ranges from Tech to Entrepreneur communities to Social Impact communities. I'm currently building the Learning Community in the NSSF Hi-Innovator learning Academy where people seeking entrepreneurial skills have access to a range of entrepreneurial courses on the Hi-Innovator learning Academy. Outstanding entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to level up then qualify for the Hi-Innovator program where teams/businesses are given a chance to make it through our skilling boot-camps with thrilling speakers. Selected businesses then get a chance to pitch in front of panels of judges and get a chance to win 20k USD in funding. I am also tasked with sourcing community leads in university and in the community to accelerate the work being done for the businesses through the learning Academy. I also stand as a liaison between Outbox and technical communities seeking to call a place home.

With my amazing team, we are proactively building a space where people can get access to resources and like minded professionals to enable them add value to themselves, their career goals and strategically position them for gigs and job opportunities.

Increased female participation in tech by 30% through 10+ workshops and hackathons for 500+ women, focusing on digital safety and career development. Conducted a security audit for an at-risk LGBTQ organisation, developing policies that secured support from Internews and Defend Defenders during Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023.

Designed and delivered 30+ customized digital security training sessions for entrepreneurs, human rights defenders, journalists, youth groups, NGOs, and civil society organizations. Provided expert consultation on threat modelling, organizational security policies, secure communications, and incident response planning focusing on digital safety and career development. Conducted a security audit for an at-risk organisation, developing policies that secured support from Internews and Defend Defenders. Developed and refined Digital security content, designed and hosted and LMS for Defend Defenders.

Selected as an inaugural fellow for the Digital Transformation With Africa (DTWA) Cohort 1 at the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa. Over three months, I will complete intensive leadership and digital transformation training focused on leveraging technology for social impact, business innovation, and scalable development solutions across the African continent. By the end of the program, I will have; ● Strengthened competencies in digital adoption, leadership, innovation, and technology integration. ● Collaborated with regional peers on digital projects and problem-solving initiatives. ● Engaged in mentorship, professional growth, and ecosystem networking across the YALI alumni community.

I was selected as an inaugural learner in the Infuse Fellowship by Internews, where I focused on Web Application Hardening, Forensics, and Incident Response. During my exchange with PinoyCERT in Manila, Philippines, I honed my skills in Security Information and Event Management using Wazuh. This experience deepened my understanding of cybersecurity and its impact on civil society.

I am pursuing a Master’s in Cyber Security with academic direction from Royal Holloway, University of London, a UK NCSC-recognized Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE–CSE). The programme is provisionally certified by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).