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Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) is a non-governmental organization that was founded in May 2000 by several women¡¯s organizations in Uganda. Its main objective is to develop the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among women, to share information and address issues collectively. The organization envisions an inclusive and just society where women and girls are empowered to use ICTs for sustainable development. In line with this vision, WOUGNET emphasizes the use of diverse ICTs such as SMS, radio, television, email, social media, and print, with the internet serving as an enabler for communication and information sharing. WOUGNET's interventions include providing information through varying digital platforms that enable productivity, facilitating access, utilization, and application of ICTs, and influencing the formulation and implementation of gender-sensitive ICT policies and programs. The organization is dedicated to promoting the generation of gender data and has over the years advocated for gender-responsive ICT policies and laws in Uganda, based on evidence-based research. WOUGNET has organized high-level dialogues with policymakers, regulators, government ministries, and marginalized groups such as women, girls, persons with disabilities, and people living in rural areas to discuss issues of digital human rights, specifically women¡¯s rights online. The organization regularly publishes policy briefs, position papers, toolkits, handbooks, and reports on issues such as data privacy, the gender digital divide, freedom of expression, and access to information. WOUGNET has also partnered with international networks such as the Global Network Initiative and Association for Progressive Communications to promote the Internet of Things and the feminist Internet. WOUGNET has conducted various research projects, including a nationwide study on the types, spread, and impact of online gender-based violence in Uganda, and an assessment of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing freedom of expression and access to information in Uganda. Additionally, WOUGNET implemented the "Smart Policy Option" project, which engages civil society organizations and policymakers to promote policies and strategies that narrow the existing gender digital gap. WOUGNET is the implementing partner in Uganda for the project "Our Voices Our Future," which is being implemented in six countries (Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda) and targets structurally silenced women. WOUGNET is a member of international networks such as the Association for Progressive Communications, Global Initiative Network, and Community of Practice on Cyber Laws and Regulations under the Digital Human Rights Lab. Its work has been supported by donors and partners such as Alan Turing Institute, Humundi, Commonwealth Foundation, SPIDER, Crossroad International, UN Women, GIZ, Digital Human Rights Lab, World Wide Web Foundation, African Union, SIDA, Association for Progressive Communications, Applied Research Fund, Urgent Action Fund, and CREA.

In 2022, WOUGNET teamed up with the Alan Turing Institute to equip policymakers, civil society organizations, developers, and citizens with the knowledge to go beyond governing data. They aimed to fully comprehend the relationship between privacy compliance, ethical design, and equity and justice in terms of access, visibility, and representation in data used in the development of AI/ML systems, both in Uganda and globally. This was achieved through workshops, interviews, and a research study. The study used a mixed-methods approach, including a desk review, qualitative and quantitative analyses based on secondary data, and a field survey. The research assessed the current state of Data Justice research and practice, identified existing gaps, and developed a guide for policymakers, developers, and communities affected by AI/ML systems. The guide helps them to consider ADJRP's provisional six pillars of data justice practice: power, equity, access, identity, participation, and knowledge. The research study was divided into two parts: an internal assessment of legal and regulatory frameworks, and external engagement with stakeholders. The participants were selected in close consultation with the Alan Turing Institute Technical Team. A policy brief was developed based on the research findings. https://wougnet.org/download/advancing-data-justice-research-and-practice-in-uganda/ Participated in several videography on data justice such as Introducing Data Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPs1u5aibHM); Uncovering Data Injustice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXcT5_-6GPg); Mobilising for Data Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0nCU9ptWqc) and Advancing Data Justice: What is data justice? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgpnKbAZJvQ) WOUGNET has contributed to the development of a policy brief on Data Justice titled "Putting Data Justice into Practice". The report was created by experts and specialists involved in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence's project on Data Justice. It is important to note that the report reflects the personal opinions of the GPAI experts and specialists involved and does not necessarily represent the views of their respective organizations, GPAI, or GPAI Members. Furthermore, it is worth noting that GPAI is a separate entity from the OECD, and hence, the opinions expressed and arguments employed in the report do not reflect the views of the OECD or its Members. https://gpai.ai/projects/data-governance/data-justice-policy-brief-putting-data-justice-into-practice.pdf In 2023, WOUGNET partnered with Internews for the Local Voices Project. They conducted a machine-learning session led by Jeremy Springman from DevLab under the Machine Learning for Peace project. The session aimed to provide actionable data for CSOs, policymakers, and donors in Uganda. The project leveraged big data from the last five years to promote political participation and societal advancement. The team utilized news and big data, incorporating additional data sources such as economic trends to train forecasting models. Data is available through two dashboards (website, mlpeace.com) with data available for 56 countries and tracking 20 domestic political events. We took part in an interview for the Advancing Data Justice research and practice project by CEIMIA/GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence). The campaign aimed to showcase the work that has been done on the project to further advance the cause of data justice. We shared our views on data justice along with other organizations involved in the project in 2021. The interviews produced several deliverables. 1. A two-page summary that encapsulates the policy brief recommendations and the story of the project. It was distributed to policymakers during the Innovation Workshop that was hosted in Montreal, bringing together policymakers and experts. 2. Social media posts for the Data Justice campaign were created:https://twitter.com/CEIMIA_mtl/s