After 35 days on the road and over 13,000 kilometers across 10 African countries,digital security expert Gole Andrew has finally returned home to Uganda completing an extraordinary solo motorbike journey that carried the message of online safety and digital empowerment across borders.
On 12th September 2025,Gole set out on this daring expedition to raise awareness about digital rights and promote safer online practices ahead of the 12th edition of the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (#FIFAfrica25)held in Windhoek, Namibia from September 24–26,2025. His mission:to amplify conversations around digital security,especially for marginalized and at-risk communities that rely on the internet for advocacy, expression and connection.
Today,The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa(CIPESA) in partnership with the Defenders Protection Initiative (DPI),Free Riders Association Mbarara Chapter and other partners proudly welcomed Gole back to Uganda. The celebration was not just about the end of a remarkable journey but the continuation of a shared mission to strengthen digital resilience and online safety across Africa.
As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month,the Road To Digital Safety partners made a meaningful stop at Kakiika Women’s Group, a communitybased organization that supports survivors and victims of genderbased violence (GBV) and promotes gender equality human rights, and land rights.Together,the team conducted a Digital Security Clinic engaging members in practical,hands-on sessions about staying safe online,protecting personal information and recognizing digital threats that could compromise their safety or advocacy work.
This initiative underscored a key message of the campaign that empowering communities means securing both their rights and their digital presence.
From today’s early morning activities,the momentum created continues to ripple through those we’ve interacted with and even communities he met along the way.
