The 4th Edition of the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition came full circle, from its ambitious launch in March 2025 to a landmark Grand Finale on 25th September 2025 at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania.

When Unwanted Witness and its partners first announced the competition under the theme “Safeguarding Personal Data in National Digital ID Systems,” they also confirmed a major evolution: the Moot was expanding from Uganda and Kenya to fully include Tanzania and Rwanda, making it the first truly regional East African data protection moot court competition.

The University of Dar es Salaam was designated host for the semi-finals and the Grand Finale, with national rounds held across the region:

• Kenya – 11th September 2025 at Daystar University, Athi River
• Uganda – 15th September 2025 at Uganda Christian University, Mukono
• Tanzania – 22nd September 2025 at the University of Dar es Salaam

From written memorials to national qualifiers, and through intense semi-final arguments in Tanzania, teams battled complex questions around biometric data, surveillance risks and state responsibility in digital identity governance. This structure—national preliminaries leading to regional semi-finals and a grand finale—ensured the strongest teams advanced on the merit of both written and oral advocacy.

The Moot was organised in partnership with a wide coalition of institutions, including Hewlett Foundation, Civil Rights Defenders, Tech & Media Convergency (TMC), Kigali Attorneys Legal Consultants & Partners (LLP), University of Dar es Salaam, Uganda Christian University, INES–Institute of Applied Sciences, Daystar University, the Personal Data Protection Commission of Tanzania, the Data Protection and Privacy Office of Rwanda, and the Personal Data Protection Office of Uganda.

At the launch, Unwanted Witness Executive Director Dorothy Mukasa highlighted why this competition matters:

“With national digital ID systems becoming central to governance, it is crucial to equip young legal minds with the knowledge and skills to address privacy and data protection challenges. This competition not only enhances legal advocacy skills but also fosters regional cooperation and dialogue on harmonizing data protection standards in East Africa.”

Her words foreshadowed what would unfold months later.

The Grand Finale: A Showcase of Regional Excellence

On 25th September 2025, the competition concluded in spectacular fashion at UDSM. Four national champions—from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania—met in a historic showdown that solidified the Moot as East Africa’s premier platform for cultivating digital rights advocates.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) emerged as Overall Champion, securing:

• USD 1500 in prize money, and
• A fully funded trip to the 7th Privacy Symposium Africa in Lagos, scheduled for 26th–28th November 2025.

Strathmore University claimed Second Place, taking home:

• USD 500, and
• The coveted Runners-Up shield.

Individual and team honours included:

• Best Overall Oralist – Megan Wanjiru (Strathmore University)
• Best Written Submissions (Applicant) – Uganda Christian University
• Best Written Submissions (Respondent) – Islamic University in Uganda

These awards celebrated excellence, discipline, teamwork and passion for digital rights—core values that the competition was designed to nurture from the outset.

A Regional Turning Point

This year’s edition did more than crown a winner—it cemented the competition’s role as a catalyst for legal innovation and regional integration. Participants debated real-world issues tied to digital identity, privacy enforcement and constitutionalism in the digital age. The arguments presented affirmed a growing truth: data protection is no longer peripheral—it is central to governance, human dignity and human rights enforcement.

The support of judges, partner institutions and sponsoring organisations elevated the competition beyond rivalry and into a space of policy influence, legal growth and shared vision.

Looking Ahead

The 4th edition demonstrated what Dorothy Mukasa predicted at launch: expanding the competition regionally has deepened cooperation, sharpened legal reasoning and inspired future leaders in data protection. As national digital ID systems continue reshaping civic life, this platform has proven vital in equipping the next generation to protect rights in a digital era.

The passion and intellect displayed throughout #UWPrivacyMoot2025 affirmed one thing: East Africa is ready to lead the continent in shaping people-centred digital governance.