Privacy Policy — ConnectRefugee Effective Date: April 24, 2025 Last Updated: April 24, 2025 Version: 1.0
ConnectRefugee is a mobile application operated by CAMPUS Digital Hub, a refugee-led technology organization based in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Uganda.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and what rights you have. By downloading or using ConnectRefugee, you agree to this policy. If you do not agree, please stop using the app and contact us to delete your data.
1. Who We Are
CAMPUS Digital Hub is the data controller responsible for your personal information collected through ConnectRefugee.
Email: campusdigitalhub@gmail.com Phone: +256774869924 Address: Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Uganda
2. What Information We Collect
We collect only the information necessary to provide you with the service.
Personal information: your name or username, phone number, and email address.
Location information: your approximate location, used to show you nearby food distribution points, health services, and opportunities. We do not track your exact GPS location in the background.
App activity: content you view, posts you save, and actions you take inside the app.
Device information: your device type, operating system version, and basic technical data used to keep the app running properly.
We do not collect sensitive personal data such as your nationality, refugee status, ethnicity, religion, or biometric data.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Send you notifications about food distribution, healthcare services, and opportunities near you
- Show you information that is relevant to your location
- Improve the app and fix technical problems
- Send you important updates about the service
- Prevent fraud, abuse, or harmful activity on the platform
- Respond to your questions and support requests
We do not use your data for advertising. We do not use your data to make automated decisions that affect your rights or access to services.
4. Legal Basis for Processing Your Data
We process your personal data under the following legal grounds, as recognized by Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019):
- You have given us your consent when you registered for the app
- It is necessary to perform the service you signed up for
- It is necessary to protect your vital interests or those of others
- We have a legitimate interest in operating and improving the service, provided this does not override your rights
You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us or deleting your account.
5. Who We Share Your Data With
We do not sell your personal data to anyone. We do not rent or trade it.
We may share limited information with:
Partner organizations such as UNHCR, WFP, ILO, OPM, and other humanitarian agencies, solely to deliver services that are relevant to you.
Service providers who help us operate the app, such as hosting providers and technical support services. These providers are only allowed to use your data for the specific purpose we have contracted them for.
Government or legal authorities if we are required by Ugandan law to disclose your information, or if disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of users or the public.
All third parties we work with are required to handle your data responsibly and in line with this policy.
6. Data Storage and Security
Your data is stored on secure servers. We apply reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect it against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure.
These measures include restricted access to data, use of secure connections, and regular review of our data practices.
No system is completely secure. If you believe your account has been accessed without your permission, contact us immediately at campusdigitalhub@gmail.com.
We operate in compliance with Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019) and the UNHCR Policy on the Protection of Personal Data of Persons of Concern (2015).
7. Data Retention
We keep your personal data only for as long as it is needed to provide you with the service or as required by law.
If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 30 days, except where we are legally required to retain it for a longer period.
App activity logs may be retained in anonymized form for up to 12 months for the purpose of improving the service.
8. Your Rights
Under Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019), you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of any data that is wrong or incomplete
- Request deletion of your data
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Object to how we are using your data
- Request that we stop processing your data in a way that causes you harm
- Lodge a complaint with Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at campusdigitalhub@gmail.com or call +256774869924. We will respond within 14 days.
9. Children
ConnectRefugee is not designed for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13.
Users aged 13 to 17 should review this policy with a parent or guardian before using the app.
If you believe a child under 13 has registered on the app, contact us at campusdigitalhub@gmail.com and we will delete the account and all associated data.
10. Cookies and Tracking
The ConnectRefugee app does not use browser cookies. We may use limited analytics tools to understand how the app is used. These tools collect anonymized data only and cannot identify you personally.
11. Third-Party Links and Services
The app may display links or information from third-party organizations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those organizations. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before sharing any information with them.
12. International Data Transfers
If your data is processed or stored outside Uganda, we will ensure that appropriate protections are in place in line with Ugandan data protection law. We will not transfer your data to a country that does not provide an adequate level of data protection without your explicit consent.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we will notify you through the app at least 7 days before the changes take effect.
The version number and last updated date at the top of this document will always reflect the most current version. Continued use of the app after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
14. Contact Us and Complaints
If you have questions, concerns, or a complaint about how we handle your data, contact us:
CAMPUS Digital Hub Email: campusdigitalhub@gmail.com Phone: +256774869924 Address: Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Uganda
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to contact Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office to file a formal complaint.
This policy was prepared by CAMPUS Digital Hub and applies exclusively to the ConnectRefugee mobile application. ConnectRefugee is built with refugees, for refugees.