- 24 Jan, 2026
- 0 Comments
- 3 Mins Read
Launching the DNS Academy: Building Uganda’s Capacity for a Secure and Inclusive Internet
On the International Day of Education, the Uganda DNS Forum is proud to officially launch the DNS Academy—a year-long capacity-building initiative designed to strengthen Uganda’s participation in the Domain Name System (DNS), Internet governance, and global policy processes.
As Uganda’s digital economy continues to grow, the resilience, security, and inclusivity of our Internet infrastructure have never been more critical. At the heart of this infrastructure lies the DNS—the system that enables users to access the Internet reliably and securely. Yet, effective DNS management and governance require both technical expertise and informed policy engagement. The DNS Academy was created to bridge this gap.
Why the DNS Academy?
Through its engagements and community work, the Uganda DNS Forum has identified persistent gaps in DNS technical capacity, policy understanding, and meaningful participation in global Internet governance spaces. Many stakeholders—students, engineers, policymakers, civil society actors, and private sector professionals—remain underrepresented in decision-making processes that directly impact Uganda’s digital future.
The DNS Academy responds to this need by offering a structured, practical, and locally grounded learning pathway that empowers participants to engage confidently at both the national and global levels, including platforms such as ICANN.
A Fellowship-Based Learning Model
The DNS Academy is built around year-long fellowships that blend theory, practice, and real-world engagement. Learning is delivered through a combination of:
- Self-paced courses from ICANN Learn and ISOC Learn
- Uganda-focused masterclasses that localize global concepts
- Mentorship and peer learning
- Practical engagement in ICANN public meetings, including the Community Forum, Policy Forum, and Annual General Meeting (AGM)
This model ensures that learning is not abstract, but directly connected to Uganda’s DNS ecosystem and policy environment.
DNS Academy Fellowship Tracks
At launch, the DNS Academy introduces two flagship fellowship tracks:
1. DNS Academy Policy Fellowship
The Policy Fellowship equips participants with a strong foundation in Internet governance, DNS policy development, and multistakeholder processes. Fellows learn how policies are developed within ICANN, how different stakeholder groups operate, and how global policy discussions translate into national impact.
A core objective of this fellowship is to enable participants to advocate for secure, inclusive, and context-aware DNS and Internet policies within Uganda, while contributing meaningfully to global governance discussions.
2. DNS Academy Technical Fellowship
The Technical Fellowship focuses on hands-on DNS skills, including DNS operations, DNSSEC, infrastructure resilience, and security best practices. Through applied training and localized masterclasses, fellows strengthen Uganda’s technical capacity to operate, secure, and sustain critical Internet infrastructure.
Together, the Policy and Technical Fellowships ensure a holistic approach to DNS capacity building—recognizing that a secure Internet depends on both sound policy and strong technical foundations.
Local Impact, Global Engagement
A defining feature of the DNS Academy is its emphasis on local relevance with global engagement. While fellows actively participate in international forums such as ICANN, the program places strong focus on Uganda’s DNS landscape, regulatory environment, and digital development priorities.
By the end of the fellowship, participants are not only knowledgeable observers but active contributors—capable of drafting policy briefs, engaging stakeholders, and championing initiatives that strengthen Uganda’s Internet ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
The launch of the DNS Academy marks an important milestone for the Uganda DNS Forum and for Internet governance capacity building in the country. As we mark the International Day of Education, we reaffirm our belief that education is the foundation of a secure, stable, and inclusive Internet.
Through the DNS Academy, we are investing in people—building a community of practitioners, advocates, and leaders who will shape Uganda’s digital future and ensure that local voices are represented in global Internet governance.
We look forward to walking this journey with our fellows, partners, and the wider Internet community.