Reimagining Civic Space in Uganda: The Birth of SpaceUG

In a time when civic space in Uganda faces unprecedented constraints, the Rural Smiles Foundation is proud to introduce SpaceUG ( www.spaceug.org )  a bold, homegrown digital civic platform built for and by Ugandan civil society. SpaceUG represents a transformative step forward in ensuring that citizens, civic actors, youth, and grassroots organisations are not just heard but are digitally empowered to organize, advocate, and mobilize safely and meaningfully.

Launched through the unwavering vision and grassroots commitment of the Rural Smiles Foundation and generously supported by the CIVICUS Crisis Response Fund under the scope of the Flexible Support Mechanism, a six-year programme led by civil society organisations (CSOs). The programme is hosted by Oxfam Novib, together with implementing partners: Protection International , CIVICUS  and Urgent Action Fund Latin America and the Caribbean , SpaceUG is more than just a digital tool. It is a movement, a safe space, and a digital home for civic actors operating under shrinking freedoms, surveillance, and political pressures.

Why SpaceUG Matters

Across Uganda, civil society organisations, youth-led movements, human rights defenders, and community actors are often forced to operate under tight restrictions. In some cases, these restrictions lead to harassment, threats, and limited physical assembly. Recognising the need for a safe and reliable alternative to traditional spaces, the Rural Smiles Foundation conceptualised and developed SpaceUG — a Facebook/X-like online civic platform tailored specifically to Uganda’s context.

Unlike mainstream social media platforms that are sometimes inaccessible or surveilled, SpaceUG was developed locally, and with civic resilience and inclusivity at its core.

Core Features of SpaceUG

SpaceUG provides an intuitive, user-friendly digital experience designed to mirror social media platforms users are familiar with. Here’s what you can do on the platform:

• 👥 Create and Join Groups based on interest areas, regions, causes, or movements
• 🗞️ Share Civic Content like updates, articles, photos, campaigns, and more
• 📚 Access and Enroll in Courses on digital rights, civic education, advocacy, governance, and more
• 📆 List or Attend Events — both physical and virtual
• 📨 Message and Connect with fellow civic actors, networks, and coalitions
• 🌐 Maintain a Civic Profile that reflects your advocacy areas and expertise
• 🔐 Participate Anonymously or under pseudonyms where necessary for safety
• 📢 Promote Campaigns, Host Dialogues, and Crowdsource Ideas

The platform has been optimised for low-bandwidth environments, allowing access even in rural and remote parts of Uganda.

Built on Principles of Trust, Safety, and Inclusion

Rural Smiles Foundation designed SpaceUG using a participatory co-creation approach involving young civic actors, women-led organisations, and rural change-makers. We prioritised:

• Data Privacy and Security – The platform has stringent encryption and moderation tools.
• Accessibility – Mobile-first design and regional language support options are being explored.
• Transparency and Community Ownership – A core principle of SpaceUG is collective ownership of civic space. The platform is built for the community, by the community.

CIVICUS: A Critical Partner in Digital Civic Innovation

The launch and development of SpaceUG would not have been possible without the strategic and timely support of CIVICUS, under their Crisis Response Fund (CRF). CIVICUS provided catalytic funding and technical solidarity during a time when Rural Smiles Foundation was facing eviction, online censorship, and persistent state scrutiny due to its civic engagement work in Greater Kibaale and beyond.

This partnership exemplifies what global solidarity can look like when rooted in grassroots trust, needs-responsive support, and values-based funding.

The Road Ahead: Join, Engage, Shape the Space

We are excited to officially launch SpaceUG on 23rd July 2025, in a virtual event that will be streamed on the platform itself. But before that, we are inviting CSOs, grassroots leaders, youth movements, women’s groups, and development partners to:

✅ Create a profile on www.spaceug.org 
✅ Explore the platform’s features 
✅ Share honest feedback via email to space@spaceug.org (Niyirinda Hellen, our Digital Civic Space Coordinator, is available for any queries or suggestions) 
✅ Invite your networks and communities to join

A Platform for the People, By the People

SpaceUG is more than a platform — it’s a vision of resilient civic space, a tool for collective power, and a place where hope meets action. As threats to freedom of expression, association, and assembly grow, we are proud to respond with innovation, dignity, and digital courage.

We invite you to stand with us. Together, let’s reimagine civic engagement in Uganda  safely, digitally, and inclusively.

Contact: 
Email: space @ruralsmiles.org | space@spaceug.org 
Web: www.spaceug.org