thraets

A Civic Tech Research Lab Confronting Digital Threats to Democracies in the Global South.

[thraets @thraets]

We spent months on this. Now out in @thecontinent_ (issue 247). The most sophisticated info operation we found in the eastern DRC conflict wasn't built to go viral. It barely reached anyone (~2% of views). That was the design, not a failure.

https://t.co/PzimZrd95s

[thraets @thraets]

Thank you to everyone that joined. Thank you @SamuelBaker_B for hosting us. Tap the link to read more about the report that we spoke of during the space: https://t.co/VycMsNrvuL.

[Samuel Baker BYANSI @SamuelBaker_B]

A leaked spreadsheet exposed how Rwanda runs its information war: silencing journalists at home, flooding the Kivus with propaganda, and lobbying the Western capitals where sanctions are decided.

I’m hosting @michelawrong, @okongojim, @LindaNgari, Uri Ludger (@Thraets) and @Mablees - the team behind @thecontinent_‘s recent investigation into Kigali’s influence operations.

🎙️ “Influence Operations, Inc.: Rwanda’s Information War Across Kigali, the Kivus (DRC), and the Capitals of the West”

Wed 5 Aug, 4-6pm EAT. Don’t Miss.

[thraets @thraets]

Starting now!

[Samuel Baker BYANSI @SamuelBaker_B]

https://t.co/H2IhPi7zBt

[thraets @thraets]

Tune in tomorrow to where our researchers will be taking part in an X-Space titled Influence Operations, Inc.: Rwanda’s Information War Across Kigali, the Kivus (DRC), and the Capitals of the West.

[Samuel Baker BYANSI @SamuelBaker_B]

A leaked spreadsheet exposed how Rwanda runs its information war: silencing journalists at home, flooding the Kivus with propaganda, and lobbying the Western capitals where sanctions are decided.

I’m hosting @michelawrong, @okongojim, @LindaNgari, Uri Ludger (@Thraets) and @Mablees - the team behind @thecontinent_‘s recent investigation into Kigali’s influence operations.

🎙️ “Influence Operations, Inc.: Rwanda’s Information War Across Kigali, the Kivus (DRC), and the Capitals of the West”

Wed 5 Aug, 4-6pm EAT. Don’t Miss.

[thraets @thraets]

@UN @EUCouncil The information battlefield in modern conflict increasingly runs through institutional decision-makers, not just the public sphere.
You can check out the full investigation here https://t.co/wMiKVWrdA9

[thraets @thraets]

Most wars are fought on 2 fronts: the battlefield & the information space. During the M23 offensive in eastern DRC, every actor was fighting for legitimacy. The question wasn't just who was winning on the ground, but whose version of events would shape international decisions.🧵

[thraets @thraets]

@UN @EUCouncil Traditional fact-checking struggles with this. FIMI isn't always about persuading millions of people. Sometimes it's about influencing a few diplomats, analysts or journalists at exactly the right moment.

[thraets @thraets]

THRAETS was at the Uganda Internet Governance Forum. An important space for conversations on digital rights, governance, and the future of the internet in Uganda. We’re glad to have been part of it and look forward to continued engagement.

#IGF #DigitalRights

[thraets @thraets]

Africa needs researchers. We recently concluded our first OSINT training cohort at THRAETS with support from Luminate. Over 3 days, participants engaged with foundational internet research tools & methods. We’re grateful to our first cohort. Looking forward to the next one.

[thraets @thraets]

A few highlights from our OSINT training so far! Thank you to all our participants for your enthusiasm, active engagement, and commitment to learning. Your contributions have made the sessions insightful and impactful.

[Africa Uncensored @AfUncensored]

Africa Uncensored in partnership with KAS Media Programme: Sub Saharan Africa is looking for emerging African investigative journalists committed to public interest reporting for The Africa Investigative Journalism Lab.

If you're passionate about hard-hitting reporting and want the skills, mentorship and resources to take your investigative stories to the next level, this is your chance.

📍Application Deadline: 15th August 2026

🔗 Click the link below to apply or share the opportunity with someone: https://t.co/3DVj9mRTa9

[thraets @thraets]

Uganda has officially been declared Ebola-free after weeks of surveillance and containment.

But outbreaks are never just medical event, they are also shaped by trust, information, and how people make sense of risk.

This piece reflects on that:

https://t.co/6aEfIWWorG

[Ministry of Health- Uganda @MinofHealthUG]

#Uganda is officially #Ebola Free

#MOHatWork | #EbolaFreeUG

[FemTech Law Initiative @femtechXlaw]

📣Publication Alert
We are proud to share that our Digital Safety Toolkit for University Students on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) has officially been published.
Download your free copy here: https://t.co/EOxmLpdliw

[thraets @thraets]

No vote. No seat at the table.
Still paying the price. How the U.S. election is shaping outcomes across Africa:

https://t.co/dA3qQuYaOS

[ISOC Uganda Chapter @ISOCUg]

Throwback to the conversations that brought Uganda’s digital community together.

Every year, stakeholders from the government, private sector, academia, civil society, and the technical community convene to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping Uganda’s digital ecosystem.

The discussions often highlight the importance of collaboration in addressing critical issues such as digital inclusion, cybersecurity, online safety, digital rights, and emerging technologies.

As we prepare for Uganda Internet Governance Week 2026, the conversation continues. Building a digital future that is inclusive, secure, and innovative requires diverse voices, shared knowledge, and collective action. Join us as we continue shaping Uganda’s digital future together.

Register to attend here: https://t.co/jABJBwce3q

#UIGWeek2026 #InternetGovernance