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We are a non-profit Pro-democracy Tech research lab dedicated to combating digital threats against truth, democracy, and social unity. Across the Global South, democratic processes are a toxic mix between deliberate disinformation, unintentional misinformation, social divisions, and rising polarization. With technological advancements, confronting these digital threats, such as deep fakes and cheap fakes, is becoming more challenging.
Our work addresses societal challenges related to democratic stability, human rights, and ethical technology development in developing nations. We investigate how emerging digital threats, such as synthetic media, surveillance tools, and coordinated or gendered disinformation campaigns, could undermine free and fair elections, amplify hate speech and ethnic tensions, and erode public trust in institutions. Through technical research, policy advocacy, and multi-stakeholder engagement, we aim to anticipate and mitigate these threats before they can be weaponized to destabilize nations.
We explore how technology can protect citizens and societies in the global south.
To defend truth, democracy, and social cohesion in the global south by countering digital threats through research, open-source solutions, and impactful policy recommendations.
A future where democratic processes, human rights, and ethical technology development are safeguarded from digital threats across the global majority.
Free and open source software + Open content and open standards + Democratic, accountable and transparent governance + Local initiative and ownership + Social and gender equality Inclusiveness and diversity
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For discreet messaging, we recommend using Signal – a free, open-source app that provides end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages, ensuring your conversations remain private and leave no trace.
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Our global team operates across Nairobi, Kampala, Copenhagen, and Washington D.C.
Alternatively, you can reach us via ProtonMail, a secure email service that prioritizes privacy and anonymity. Create a free account using the TOR browser for maximum anonymity, and send us encrypted emails at thraets@protonmail.com. You can also encrypt email content using our PGP key for added security.
Machine Learning Lead
Mark Okello is the Data Science and Machine Learning Lead at Thraets. Mark’s expertise in state-of-the-art machine learning helps identify deep fakes, cheap fakes, and other AI-generated media deployed for nefarious purposes. He holds a pivotal position in identifying synthetic and manipulated media techniques used for spreading disinformation, particularly across countries in the global south.
Mark is a graduate student researcher at Duke University, where he specializes in automated natural language processing (NLP) techniques. Previously, Mark worked as a Healthcare Data Scientist at Benshi AI, focusing on data analytics, survival modeling, and user segmentation based on behavioral mobile app logs.
Communications Lead
Mable Barbara Amuron is a multi-talented, award-winning creative with a deep passion for the written word. She is a versatile writer, editor, copywriter, and communications lead who brings her love for the written word into every project. Amuron thrives in watching words evolve into coherent narratives that entertain, inform, and inspire.
Research Lead
Richard Ngamita is the Team Leader at Thraets. He also leads research work at Thraets with a focus on digital security, influence operations and open-source intelligence. For over 10 years, Richard has been studying the internet, how people behave online, and the ways that bad actors think and misuse digital technologies.
Richard has led technical research under threat intelligence teams at major tech companies like X(Formerly Twitter), Facebook (Meta), and Google. Currently, Richard is an advisory board member for the “Digital Democracy Initiative”, a collaboration between Global South civil society, the European Union, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tech Lead
Joachim Gwoke is the Tech Lead and works on anything open source at Thraets. He is a dedicated free open source software researcher and activist who specializes in integrating diverse free open source tools and data sources to enhance governance, social research, and digital platforms through open collaboration.
Joachim has engineered solutions for organizations like AFLI in Uganda, conducted parliamentary audits and policy analysis using FOSS principles. He continues to champion remote GIS for grassroots initiatives and empowering local communities with open-source data and tools.
Advisory Board Member
Simon Engelbrecht has over 20 years of experience developing resilient technologies tailored to humanitarian contexts. As the former CTO of Refugees United (REFUNITE), he led the creation of SMS/USSD systems designed for low-connectivity environments, such as Kenya’s Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps, reconnecting displaced families across Africa. Currently, Simon serves in advisory roles at Mastercard Lighthouse and Copenhagen Fintech, where he provides expertise in building sustainable, user-centered technologies. His deep experience in offline-first solutions informs his work in designing protest documentation tools that are both practical and effective in challenging environments.
Advisory Board Member
Belinda Nichols has extensive experience in technology education and digital empowerment across emerging markets. During her tenure at Google, she trained hundreds of university students in East and West Africa in mobile and web development. As the founder of Nayah Solutions, she implemented tech and entrepreneurship programs in Tanzania and Senegal, partnering with organizations such as UNIDO and USAID. Her projects include developing mobile app curricula for SUZA Zanzibar and teaching teenagers to use Android App Inventor. BeLinda’s expertise in technical communication and her hands-on work in emerging regions guide her approach to creating accessible tech training programs. She holds an M.S. in Technical Communication from Southern Polytechnic University.
Advisory Board Member
Richard Zulu is the founder and lead of Outbox, an innovation and entrepreneurship hub dedicated to supporting small and growing businesses in Uganda. With over 12 years of experience, Richard has designed and managed innovation challenges with partners like Google, NSSF, UNFPA, UNICEF, and MTN Uganda. Under his leadership, Outbox supports over 100 businesses annually, helping them become more competitive and investment-ready through enterprise development initiatives. Richard is passionate about leveraging human-centered design for product innovation and development. He is an East African Acumen Fellow (2014) and a U.S. International Visitors Leadership Program alumnus.
