Agather Atuhaire

Executive Director

Agora Centre for Research

Artificial Intelligence

Diversity & Inclusion

GovTech & Public Sector

About Me

Hello, my name is Agather Atuhaire. I am a journalist, lawyer and a social justice activist in Uganda. I lead a team of other activists, researchers and lawyers at Agora Centre For Research, a nonprofit organization we started in 2023 to provide information and rally Ugandans against corruption, human rights violations and bad governance. My work has been widely recognized and in 2023 I won the European Union human rights defender of the year while in 2024 I was awarded the international women of courage award by the US department of state. Our work has awakened civic engagement of a population that has become largely apathetic, led to reforms and policy changes and helped many Ugandans regain their freedoms.

Hear My Insights

Viral Voices, Virtual Walls: What is Social Media’s Role in Shaping Democracy?

Social media has irrevocably altered the landscape of political engagement, transforming how we organize, protest, and participate in democracy. From the #ArabSpring to #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, digital platforms have become vital tools for mobilizing global movements. Yet, this power comes with a double-edged sword: the same platforms that amplify grassroots voices can also be used for manipulation, censorship, and the rapid spread of misinformation. As governments and tech platforms grapple with the complex challenges of regulation and digital rights, the future of online political engagement hangs in the balance. How do we navigate the algorithmic influence that shapes our discourse? Can we safeguard against political polarization and the erosion of truth? And what ethical frameworks are necessary to ensure social media remains a force for democratic empowerment, rather than a tool for its subversion?