Beyond tech: why everyone must adapt to disruptive technology

The organisers of the forthcoming 14th Annual East Africa Information Security Conference have urged even non-tech-savvy people to attend, warning that the era of disruptive technology has already touched nearly every sector of society, leaving everyone exposed to tech opportunities but also at risk of cyber abuse and fraud.

The five-day conference, scheduled for September 29–October 3, 2025, will run under the theme “Thriving in the Era of Disruptive Technology” at Speke Resort Munyonyo and Conference Centre.

It will feature two days of masterclasses, hands-on workshops, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and sessions on artificial intelligence, cloud security, and cybersecurity. Maurice Taremwa, president of ISACA Kampala Chapter, the event organizers said that technology disruption is inevitable for every sector and individual.

He stressed that the conference offers an opportunity to learn how to secure transactions, protect privacy, and adopt digital tools effectively.

“To sum it up, this conference is about you, it’s about me, it’s about your enterprise, it’s about advancing your career, it’s about advancing your enterprise. It’s about advancing your professional career. It’s about us advancing in life, it’s about us advancing digital transformation…Whatever sector you’re in, you’re always dealing with information,” he said.

He noted that while most people now live online, checking their phones every few minutes, few fully grasp the risks.

“These days, most of our lives are on the internet. No one spends five minutes without checking their phone. So what does that mean? We are living our lives in the cyber world, and so being cyber secure is very important; you want to be sure that your information is confidential and is seen by only the person that you intend to see it. We want to ensure that there is security in our interactions and transactions, and that what you transact is exactly that. Digital trust and accountability are key. We want to ensure that our national transaction and technology assets are very secure. That is why we want you to attend the conference,” he added.

Access and fees

Taremwa said the conference will be hybrid, physical and virtual. The Training Pass (2 days, Masterclass) will cost Shs 900,000 (members) and Shs 1,000,000 (non-members). The Premium Pass (5 days, Masterclass + Conference) is priced at Shs 2,200,000 (members), Shs 2,300,000 (non-members) while the Standard Pass (Conference only) is Shs 1,000,000 (members), Shs 1,100,000 (non-members). Virtual Pass (Conference only) is Shs 1,000,000 (members) and Shs 1,100,000 (non-members).

Technology as the new economic driver

In a panel discussion, Gideon Nkurunungi, CEO of the ICT Association of Uganda, emphasized that technology, not oil, will drive Uganda’s ambition to achieve upper middle-income status by 2040.

“Incremental change won’t take us to a $500bn economy. Disruption will. Technology is no longer just an enabler; it is the economic driver. IT officers must not be sidelined in boardrooms but placed at the center of national transformation,” he said.

He cautioned against the shrinking pool of IT professionals, warning it could undermine Uganda’s economic future.

“We won’t fix our debt problem with oil. By 2040, we’ll still be servicing loans. Technology is the answer,” he added.

Lessons from global disruption

Cybersecurity consultant and managing director of Nimbus Grey Technologies, Brian Mwine Rutebemberwa warned that no one is immune to disruption. Citing Kodak, once a photography giant that collapsed after failing to embrace digital technology, he noted that while technology simplifies operations, it introduces new risks that must be managed.

He said at the conference, over 600 local and international experts will share ideas, experiences, and partnerships to strengthen our resilience.

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