This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On August 29, 2019, Huawei began installing facial recognition cameras in Uganda as part of its Safe City project, aimed at fighting crime in the country. According to Reuters, the company plans to install 3,200 CCTVs in Uganda, with 2,500 cameras already monitoring Kampala's metropolis.
The cameras are expected to assist Uganda's Police Force (UPF) in identifying criminals and gathering evidence on criminal activities. Charles Twine, a spokesman for the police Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, believes that the project will provide investigators with valuable information, including the identity of perpetrators, their methods, and routes taken.
However, some Ugandans have raised concerns about the true intentions behind the project, suggesting that it may be a facade for ulterior motives. Opposition leaders have posited that the Ugandan government may use the equipment for political reasons, such as profiling protesters or spying on political parties.
These allegations coincide with reports of Huawei's alleged spying activities in the US and Africa, including a Wall Street Journal article that revealed how Huawei staff helped Uganda and Zambia spy on political opponents. The article raised questions about data ownership, storage, and safety, as well as the effectiveness of CCTVs in a country with high unemployment rates and lengthy court proceedings.
