NHLDS Strengthens Cybersecurity Capacity Through Staff Training
Kampala: 13/03/2026
The National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) has conducted a two-day cybersecurity enhancement training for staff as part of efforts to strengthen systems under ISO certification requirements.
The training was organized with support from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was facilitated by Computer Forensics Consults (CFC).
The workshop aimed to raise staff awareness on cybersecurity risks, while equipping participants with skills to self-audit institutional systems, identify vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to close existing gaps. The assessment focused on potential weaknesses across physical infrastructure, virtual systems, and institutional policies.
The training was officially opened by Deputy Country Director at APHL, Rufus Nyanga, who emphasized the importance of securing health data systems.
“One of the areas APHL has supported NHLDS is in building infrastructures to collect data. We may spend a lot of time and resources building infrastructure and collecting data, but we must secure the processes and the data so it does not remain on paper. It is from secure data that we obtain information that informs policies and priority decisions. We therefore need to identify the weak link and strengthen it.” – Rufus Nyanga
The training forms part of NHLDS’ ongoing efforts to strengthen data protection, improve system integrity, and ensure that laboratory information systems remain secure and reliable for decision-making within the health sector.