Through our Matchbox Program, we partner with civil society organizations to strengthen their work by harnessing the power of data and technology. Our recent partnership with Trans Youth Initiative-Uganda (TYI-Uganda) offers a lens into how collaborative platform development can respond to pressing social challenges while also building long-term organizational capacity.
Based in Uganda, TYI-Uganda is a nonprofit organization led by transgender and gender-diverse individuals.They champion the rights and well-being of rural transgender youth women, transgender youth sex workers, and gender-diverse youth, particularly in Western Uganda. Rooted in a feminist framework, TYI-Uganda emphasizes empowerment, solidarity, and transformative action, through sisterhood, intersectional organizing, tailored safe spaces, and feminist leadership development.
Within the framework of our 6-month Matchbox partnership, TYI-Uganda had three main priorities:
- Co-developing a secure digital platform to document and respond to human rights violations targeting transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
- Strengthening data security and responsible data practices ensuring that sensitive information is handled with care and protection. Building organizational capacity through hands-on training in platform management, secure data handling, and digital security protocols.
WHAT WE DISCOVERED
Our assessment of TYI-Uganda’s landscape revealed an organization with strong community connections and clear advocacy goals, but with room to strengthen their digital infrastructure and data management practices. While the tools they used were functional, they lacked the advanced security needed for safeguarding sensitive information in an increasingly hostile political environment, especially following the passage of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023.
Our assessment also revealed a deep understanding within TYI-Uganda of their users’ needs and the complex security risks they navigate. Through interviews and process mapping sessions, we identified must-have features for any future platform including anonymous reporting options, offline functionality for areas with limited internet access, and multilingual support for local languages like Luganda and Runyankole.
BUILDING THE HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTATION HUB
Recognizing TYI-Uganda’s need for a centralized, secure platform for human rights documentation and response, we collaborated to build a comprehensive solution using, an open-source documentation platform.
Key features of the platform:
Secure Incident Reporting System – The platform provides multiple pathways for reporting human rights violations, with options for both anonymous and identified reporting. Users can upload evidence such as screenshots or documents, and receive unique tracking IDs, and submit incidents through a user-friendly and secure interface.
Interactive Human Rights Mapping – Violations can now be visualized by location, type, and timeframe, revealing trends and hotspots. This data-driven approach supports targeted advocacy and intervention. The visualization uses filtering options to make complex data accessible to various stakeholders.
Resource Directory and Referral System – The platform includes a comprehensive resource library linking users to partner organizations offering legal aid, healthcare, emergency support, and other essential services. This creates a one-stop hub for both documentation and referrals.
Offline Data Collection – Recognizing the connectivity challenges in rural Uganda, we integrated the platform with a secure mobile application that enables offline data collection. Field staff can gather information even without internet access and synchronize it later when connectivity is restored.
Data Management and Security Features – Built with privacy by design, the platform features robust access controls, data encryption, and user role management. We implemented a system that distinguishes between different levels of data visibility, ensuring sensitive information remains protected while still enabling advocacy through aggregate data.
STRENGTHENING FOUNDATIONS: DATA SECURITY AND RESPONSIBLE DATA PRACTICES
Beyond platform development, a significant focus of our partnership was strengthening TYI-Uganda’s data security and responsible data management practices including:
Account Security – We introduced two-factor authentication, password managers and secure communication tools for staff and volunteers.
Data Access Controls – Together, we defined clear user roles and permissions based on the principle of least privilege, reducing exposure to sensitive data.
Responsible Data Frameworks – We supported TYI-Uganda develop comprehensive policies around data retention, archival, and deletion (RAD). These policies ensure compliance with Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act while aligning with TYI-Uganda’s organizational values around survivor privacy and dignity.
Backup and Recovery Procedures – We set up secure backup processes to prevent data loss while ensuring confidentiality and long-term access to historical information.
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
A core component of our partnership was sustainability. We designed training sessions that left TYI-Uganda with the skills and confidence to manage the platform independently.
Platform Administration – Training for admin users on managing templates, user accounts, data imports, and system configuration. This included hands-on sessions with the platform’s various features and administrative functions.
Data Security Best Practices – Workshops covering digital hygiene, secure data handling, incident response procedures, and ongoing security maintenance. We also provided practical tools like security checklists for both regular staff and administrators.
Responsible Data Management – Training on implementing and maintaining TYI-Uganda’s new responsible data policies, including practical guidance on data retention schedules, secure deletion procedures, and handling data subject requests.
LEARNING AND ADAPTATION
Like all successful partnerships, our work with TYI-Uganda involved continuous learning and adaptation. One key insight was the importance of building platforms that can operate effectively in challenging connectivity environments. The integration with a secure platform proved essential for reaching rural communities where internet access is limited or unreliable.
We also learned about the specific challenges of building platforms for sensitive data in contexts where digital rights may be under threat. This reinforced the importance of robust security measures and careful consideration of what information should be publicly accessible versus restricted.
From TYI-Uganda, we gained a deeper understanding of how human rights violations manifest in the Ugandan context and the specific features that would be most valuable for survivors and advocates. Their input was crucial in designing user-friendly interfaces that balance accessibility with security, and in ensuring the platform would truly meet community needs.
LOOKING AHEAD
As our formal partnership concludes, TYI-Uganda is well-positioned to use their new platform to enhance their human rights documentation and response efforts. The platform provides them with a centralized, secure system for managing incident reports, while the interactive mapping and resource directory tools enable new forms of advocacy and policy work.
The capacity building components of our partnership have established a strong foundation for TYI-Uganda to maintain and expand their digital infrastructure. Their team now has the skills and knowledge to manage the platform independently, implement ongoing security measures, and adapt the system as their needs evolve.
Perhaps most importantly, this partnership has strengthened TYI-Uganda’s ability to serve transgender and gender-diverse communities in Uganda with greater security, efficiency, and impact. The platform provides new pathways for survivors to safely report incidents and access resources, while giving TYI-Uganda enhanced capabilities for advocacy and policy influence.
“The partnership with The Engine Room has greatly transformed how we approach, understand, and interact with both technology and data. We now see tech not just as a tool but as a powerful vehicle for resistance, documentation, and protection, particularly in repressive environments like ours.” – TYI-Uganda team reflection
CONTACT US
If you have questions about integrating tech and data more efficiently and securely into your social justice work, get in touch! We’re always eager to collaborate with passionate groups committed to social change.Read more about our Matchbox programme