In Uganda and neighbouring countries, digital governance is still nascent. Many users, especially youth in rural and low-income communities, lack digital literacy, legal awareness, and access to protective mechanisms. Most schools and institutions do not have systems in place to address online harassment, identity theft, or digital fraud. Law enforcement and justice systems often lack the capacity or technology to respond effectively, leaving victims without support.
Recognising this urgent gap, the Youth Organisation for People Empowerment (YOPE) was founded to bridge the divide between digital expansion and digital protection. As a youth-led nonprofit, YOPE operates at the intersection of cyber safety, legal empowerment, and community resilience, aiming to equip university students, young women, and marginalised youth with the tools to build safer online environments and secure socio-economic futures