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Digital Planet: Uganda, too much surveillance?

Factual: Science & Nature

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17/08/2021 GMT

Uganda, too much surveillance?

BBC World Service - Digital Planet, Uganda, too much surveillance?

Is a plan to track every vehicle a step too far?

Uganda introduced an extensive CCTV network ostensibly to cut down on crime. Now there are plans to place trackers on every vehicle for similar reasons. However, critics see both measures as ineffective and open to abuse. They are particularly concerned over the use of such surveillance to spy on opponents of the government says Dorothy Mukasa from Unwanted Witness.

And schoolchildren in Uganda have been enrolled to pilot a new device for rapid Malaria testing.  Developed with local partners and the University of Glasgow it uses locally made 3d printed test materials married to a mobile phone both to power the test and collect the results.  There’s potential for its use in detecting and analysing many diseases say Jonathan Cooper and Julien Reboud.

And can’t get to school?  No problem you can now take your lessons and exams via WhatsApp. That is if you’re enrolled in Zimbabwe’s Dr. Maxx WhatsApp school  - run with considerable success by Maxwell Chimedza


The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson
Studio Manager: Giles Aspen
Producer: Julian Siddle

(Image credit: Julian Siddle/BBC)

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